Loud Chawan vs. Soft Chawan

[Dreamer]

About the functionality of the foot question...

I've never tried to hold any of my chawan upside down by the foot. As I think about it now, my big rainbow hagi bowl would work well it has a huge rough split foot.

I do, however, want my chawan to have a significant enough foot so that when I put my fingers on the foot to hold or support the bowl, that my fingers don't get uncomfortably hot. I have two bowls that fail on this test.

Actually, for any bowl or cup without a handle, I want it to have a significant foot and/or a significant "lip" to enable it it to be safely held. I do not want to risk dropping a cup of hot tea!

I'm really enjoying the whole loud/soft chawan discussion. It is interesting that something can be striking and yet be soft...specifically the chawan last posted by Cory appears to me as both striking and soft.

Softly,
Dreamer

[Littlepig2]

. . .
I'm really enjoying the whole loud/soft chawan discussion. It is interesting that something can be striking and yet be soft...specifically the chawan last posted by Cory appears to me as both striking and soft.

Softly,
Dreamer

As am I (enjoying the whole loud/soft chawan discussion). It is interesting how it tends to tip toward the complex and philosophical. I like that also.
Loudly,
A good new year to you all!
jean ann

[annebonnie]

describing teabowls as "loud" or "soft" is a very philosophical question indeed. also, it depends on one's own aesthetic flavour and therefore is a subjective term.

as for me, i would say, all of the above posted bowls are "loud", since they all have an *obvious* special twist. they all show something being strongly charcteristic, and i could not imagine them in a pile, or in a row. the shown are all unique sculptural pieces.
"soft" teabowls would be classy ash glazed and undecorated ones; or the famous korean plain white porcellain of joseon dynasty. i could imagine some raku pieces of sen rikyuus flavour as soft, too. I guess "soft" would describe a look without any "speciality" added to the bowl, combined with a pleasant touch. wares which might even be completely overseen by some people, but do not lack the skills of an experienced craftsman behind.

In my opinion, the context is regulating the contrast only, and would not impact as much as formerly discussed my personal feeling of "softness" or "loudness" of a teabowl.

i remembered a korean heritage german potter named LEE Young-Jae, and most of the work out of her kiln seem pretty "soft" for me. (which means, pretty and soft. i love the tea bowls:
http://www.kwm-1924.de/6_1_4_becher_tassen_02.html )

the only product i would consider as loud from her is this one, http://www.kwm-1924.de/6_2_4_plattenteller_03.html

[JBaymore]

in otemae, usually the hot water is whisked then dumped out into the kensui (waste water container). this step, the chawan is inverted holding the chawan w/ fingers on the koudai. this 'gripability' or the ability to grasp is very important. i handled an amazing looking chawan by a notable artist. upon inverting the chawan w/ fingers the chawan almost slipped from my fingers. the koudai was not 'functional'.

thoughts ? anyone have this issues ?

any users out there want to comment ? makers ?

Got a minute to get in there and comment. Been flat out... and will be for about one to two weeks more. Just finished firing the noborigama last week.

Just to clarify a bit here the "functional use" description of the kodai ... the bowl is emptied by holding the rim of the bowl with the thumb, and the fingers "catching" the kodai underneath in a sort of "pinching" grip. This factor is important ONLY for those considering making / using chawan for actual Chanoyu. Otherwise this aspect is not a real "consideration".

best,

..................john

[Geekgirl]

I respectfully disagree with you when you say that it is ONLY important if the work is being produced for chanoyu. The form and function are certainly closely tied, even otherwise. For example, it may be logical that putting a handle (or two) on a chawan would make it easier for a non-chanoyu practitioner to utilize. Yes, the handles would be useless in the tea ceremony, but otherwise what difference would it make to add them?

But could you really call this bowl-with-handles a chawan anymore? Or has it become something different? Similarly, is a chawan without a functional koudai, still chawan? At what point does it become something different?

[edkrueger]

I don't do tea ceremony, but I'd say the right foot is helpful for a great bowl of tea –at least if you don't want burnt hands. If you prewarm the bowl and don't have the right foot, you will get burnt a little.

[Seeker]

How about the issue of a "steady" foot?

One of my favorite chawan is wobbly on its foot. Makes me nervous

sometimes.

[JBaymore]

That exact nature of the functionality of the specific grip type on the foot in a certain way is only really important for Chanoyu. Of course the foot is an integral part of the form and also has other functions. I was speaking only to the function of that grip in Chanoyu. If you are not doing that particular move....... the ease of that grip is not really important. The foot takes on all it's other functions.

best,

................john

[Geekgirl]

Ah, much more clear, thank you! Although, I do tend to hold it in just that way when I'm pouring out my preheating water. The size of most bowls makes it difficult to hold any other way for pouring out. So my personal preference is to have a bowl with a traditionally functional koudai.