Looking for Chawan

[sriracha]

I'd like to know more about the wabi-sabi concept so if anyone of you discussing it here have any good sources(books or online reading material other than wikipedia)you could point me to I'd really appreciate it. =)

[Little pig]

I don't know much about wabi sabi--most of what I know I learned on this thread which leads me to think I know of no such thing. I do Love the idea. However, being of the west and of a very capitalist and progressive culture I suspect perhaps my understanding will have to form itself in different words.

[tingjunkie]

I'd like to know more about the wabi-sabi concept so if anyone of you discussing it here have any good sources(books or online reading material other than wikipedia)you could point me to I'd really appreciate it. =)

Out of curiosity, I went and looked at what wikipedia had to say. I'm quite surprised, but I think they've actually done a pretty darn good job of summing up the concept for a western audience.

I first heard about the concept when I went to see a traveling exhibit of Japanese pottery masterworks in a museum in Santa Fe. There was a lot of good info there. I have also read a few journal articles on the topic, but I'll be darned if I could remember which journals to point you towards. I have also read a book called the "Wabi-Sabi House" by Robyn Griggs Lawrence. It's been a while, but from what I remember, I think she gave the subject pretty fair treatment.

In all honesty, although I think westerners are perfectly capable of grasping the real topic, I think wabi-sabi is more of a marketing ploy here in the U.S. I'm really not sure they pay the term much mind back in Japan. I think its values are just more ingrained in the culture there, and they don't need to make a bid deal about it the way we do.

But hell, I'm no expert, so...

AND we've hijacked this poor thread into oblivion. Sorry M_T! Here are a couple great sites with information on Japanese pottery and chawan:

http://www.e-yakimono.net/
http://www.kougei.or.jp/english/index.html

[Maitre_Tea]

I think it's actually better if a thread is going off-topic, because I think it's more interesting that way, and it's actually something "alive" that gets everyone involved. And I'm also learning a lot from just reading peoples' post. I think I'm going with this $48 baby from Rikyu. Even though I would love to enjoy one of Cory's pieces ... they're a little bit out of my budget. Also, it was hard enough trying to find one that I liked and had the measurements that I wanted.

The oval ring in the middle reminds me of the hiragana む, or 無 if written using the kanji. It represents "none", nothingness, or the state of oblivion upon death, which I think is a "zen" concept (which it might not be, if so correct me!).

And here's a close-up of the Kodai, if anyone sees any problems with it


I'm waiting until the end of this month, because I've exceeded my tea budget, but at the same time I want to take advantage of Yuuki-Cha's 10% summer sale.
The Chawan at Rikyu are all unique pieces, so please don't buy this newbie's Chawan.

note: The circle is actually an Ensō (円相), meaning "circle." It symbolizes enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe, and the void; it can also symbolize the Japanese aesthetic itself.

[scruffmcgruff]

It represents "none", nothingness, or the state of oblivion upon death, which I think is a "zen" concept (which it might not be, if so correct me!).

It may be that I'm misinterpreting what you are trying to describe, but Buddhist traditions typically do not accept nihilism, as that is seen as an extreme (immortality of the soul being the opposite extreme, here).

[Maitre_Tea]

It represents "none", nothingness, or the state of oblivion upon death, which I think is a "zen" concept (which it might not be, if so correct me!).

It may be that I'm misinterpreting what you are trying to describe, but Buddhist traditions typically do not accept nihilism, as that is seen as an extreme (immortality of the soul being the opposite extreme, here).

Yeah, I thought there was something weird about my definition, so I decided to look it up, and I edited my post to reflect that.

[scruffmcgruff]

I'm certainly not an expert in Buddhist traditions, but I thought it might have been funny if, on a test in one of the classes I took, the professor gave a multiple choice option "All of the above, yet none of the above."

[Tead Off]

Nice chawan, MT.

[Geekgirl]

The Chawan at Rikyu are all unique pieces, so please don't buy this newbie's Chawan.

It's lovely. I hope you purchased it. I've discovered that it's not the best idea to link to something I wish to pick up later. Even though people here are very nice, there's nothing to stop another newbie, lurker or even a more established poster from sniping your choice.

I've purchased a couple of bowls from Rikyu, and agree that it is a good choice. They have come quickly and well-packaged, and they do seem to have very unique offerings.

[Maitre_Tea]

Yes, which is why I already "bought" it. I actually had them put it on hold for me, so I can buy it in two weeks.
so for anyone who wanted this nice piece for themselves,

[Geekgirl]

I'm glad. When I read your post about rikyu, I decided to go take a look at what they had since it's been quite some time since I paged through their offerings. I saw your bowl was "Sold," and I thought "Oh NO!" Heh.

Congrats! Good choice.

[Chip]

Oh yeah, Rikyu. Some really amazing pieces. Their natsume (not too far off topic) are amazing.

[Maitre_Tea]

Really expensive though, but gorgeous. I had the naive notion of buying a tea scoop and a tea caddy, to save on shipping and stuff. I took a look at the prices of their wares, and my jaw literally dropped. Some of their tea scoops have the most amazing stories and legacy behind them.

[Maitre_Tea]

It's here! It's here! It's here!
And it is really small
*runs off to take pictures*

[Chip]

We'll be watching for the unveiling.