American Teapots

[Oni]

P.S. Look at what the british did with tea culture, they ruined it with their tear crush method, and teabags, they completely forgot the essence of tea culture, they made the whole western wolrd think of tea as some dust in a bag, this happens when you ignore the tradition, they tried to imitate something without trying first to understand it, I am afraid this would happen if western potters try to imitate asian pottery, it would be an epigony, a distorted picture of the real art.

[kaminix]

P.S. Look at what the british did with tea culture, they ruined it with their tear crush method, and teabags, they completely forgot the essence of tea culture, they made the whole western wolrd think of tea as some dust in a bag, this happens when you ignore the tradition, they tried to imitate something without trying first to understand it, I am afraid this would happen if western potters try to imitate asian pottery, it would be an epigony, a distorted picture of the real art.

IIRC the one who started using tea bags was an american wanting to send out samples in a handy format.

[Chip]

Ummm, the Japanese borrowed/imitated many of their regional tea styles from other countries.

There is nothing wrong with this.

Same thing here in the West. Asian styles are very often respected and paid the highest compliment possible by Western potters, they learn and study and then begin their own journey with Asian influenced teaware.

Besides, come on, Asia is the king of copy cats ...

[chicagopotter]

If it holds tea leaves and water, it can brew tea. At least there are people out there (Americans, Japanese, Chinese, CZ, AU, UK, etc...) that are taking the time to create handmade wares for the brewing and consumption of tea. Some are better that others, some are pure dreck -- across all regions and nationalities. I, as a potter, am certainly not attempting to "surpass" the work that I am inspired by and learn from. But I will continue to create teaware, and in turn hopefully become a better craftsperson.

You also need to remember that non-Asian potters are often at a disadvantage in terms of training because we don't have the "luxury" of the apprenticeship system or being born into a family of potters. American institutions do not train students to become potters, but Artists (with a capital A). So outside of the American eduction system, we need to find our own way. And one way of doing that is to look towards cultures that have the ceramic history (and appreciation) that our doesn't. Sure, a tonne of American potters and Artists make teapots, but I highly doubt that they are specifically created for the enjoyment of green, oolong, pu'er, etc teas. Although there are some out there who do.

Maybe criticizing and saying that "you are an American potter, using American materials, you will never be able to create anything more than substandard wares" isn't the way to approach the situation. Perhaps the members of TC could use their collective understanding and appreciation of tea to help us, the crafts people, to better understand tea and what qualities make a good or even great teapot or cup.

ps. Sorry for hijacking your topic, Firebug.

[Chip]

Maybe of criticizing and saying that "you are an American potter, using American materials, you will never be able to create anything more than substandard wares" isn't the way to approach the situation. Perhaps the members of TC could use their collective understanding and appreciation of tea to help us, the crafts people, to better understand tea and what qualities make a good or even great teapot or cup.

Precisely what I feel we are doing here on TC, and the TeawareArtisan project.

However, the learning has been two way! We have learned much from our Western/International Potters, and we have shared the way of tea with the Potters.

Everybody is a winner!

Regrettably there is stereotyping of Western Teawares/potters on a grand scale. I know this for a fact, because I used to be one who stereotyped, but have been insprired many times by the talents of newer and more progressive Western potters, namely those who have joined TeaChat to learn and share.

[gingkoseto]

If it holds tea leaves and water, it can brew tea. At least there are people out there (Americans, Japanese, Chinese, CZ, AU, UK, etc...) that are taking the time to create handmade wares for the brewing and consumption of tea. Some are better that others, some are pure dreck -- across all regions and nationalities. I, as a potter, am certainly not attempting to "surpass" the work that I am inspired by and learn from. But I will continue to create teaware, and in turn hopefully become a better craftsperson.

Very well said!

You also need to remember that non-Asian potters are often at a disadvantage in terms of training because we don't have the "luxury" of the apprenticeship system or being born into a family of potters. American institutions do not train students to become potters, but Artists (with a capital A). So outside of the American eduction system, we need to find our own way. And one way of doing that is to look towards cultures that have the ceramic history (and appreciation) that our doesn't. Sure, a tonne of American potters and Artists make teapots, but I highly doubt that they are specifically created for the enjoyment of green, oolong, pu'er, etc teas. Although there are some out there who do.

I think something very positive I see from western potters is, they are more likely to have the freedom of creativity. In many Asian societies, traditions are highly respected, and sometimes to a degree that restricts experimental arts. Artists are born to upset any old frames, but many of those may bear great pressure from families, mentors and the societies, or even from themselves, in doing things in the new way. I am excited to see some western potters making teapots with both oriental and contemporary inspirations. In China, there maybe some contemporary works like those, but more often than not, they are overshadowed by strictly traditional works and fail to even attract people's attention.

Besides, I've noticed that in US (and maybe some other countries), students in Ceramics receive strict training in the science of Ceramics. I am sure in China many artists receive such training to certain degree, but it's not mandatory across the profession. Although pottery is an art, I believe science in it is important. Especially today, science is in the basic literacy of everybody in every profession.

Maybe of criticizing and saying that "you are an American potter, using American materials, you will never be able to create anything more than substandard wares" isn't the way to approach the situation. Perhaps the members of TC could use their collective understanding and appreciation of tea to help us, the crafts people, to better understand tea and what qualities make a good or even great teapot or cup.

I really appreciate it that many western potters are very willing to communicate to tea drinkers. In my observation, many Chinese potters are mainly inspired by their mentors and their study on the traditional art. And from a user's view, I feel tea drinkers' needs are not at their prior consideration. For example, I've talked with many tea drinkers and we were all wondering why there weren't enough medium price and quality range Jing De Zhen porcelain teapot of 100-150ml practical for gong fu style. Finally we all agree what a Tie Guan Yin dealer said. He believes it's because Jing De Zhen is not traditionally a gong fu tea region (Yixing, too, has similar problem, to a smaller degree). Those who make teapot don't know well about gong fu tea drinking, those who love gong fu tea don't know how to make teapots, and there is not enough communication between potters and drinkers.

[Firebug Pottery]

I make the teapots I make to brew tea.
I use the clay I use because it is underfoot and flavors my tea well.
I create a lid to hold in the warmth.
I create a knob to handle the lid.
I create a handle that is comforter able to pour.
I create a spout to deliver the tea.
I did not choose to be a potter, it has always been in my blood.


This is why I make what I make.

[rdl]

it is nice to fine this topic moving away from flags and patriotism.
the subsequent posts have been very informative.
this tension between tradition and progress and adding new (foreign) perspectives to traditional ways is not just going on between east and west, but right in the heart of hagi city. - see robert yellin's review of miwa kyusetsu xii
http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/miwa-kyu ... -2003.html
we should be guardians of tradition - but also change our focal lenght to see the larger picture and appreciate how rewarding cultural exchanges can be.

[Firebug Pottery]

I cannot make teapots because I am not of the lineage
Therefore, I can also not set stone
I can also not build houses
Having no lineage I can do nothing
This is very fortunate
I can now do nothing until nothing remains undone

[iannon]

I cannot make teapots because I am not of the lineage
Therefore, I can also not set stone
I can also not build houses
Having no lineage I can do nothing
This is very fortunate
I can now do nothing until nothing remains undone

[woozl]

Good thing Robert Mondavi didn't listen to all the naysayers,
and decided to go ahead and plant grapes in Napa. He could of said "Everyone knows the only good wine is from Bourdeaux,
California will never grow anything even close.
because of course there aren't centuries of culture here.
Therefor I'd be a fool to even try."

[rdl]

Good thing Robert Mondavi didn't listen to all the naysayers,
and decided to go ahead and plant grapes in Napa. He could of said "Everyone knows the only good wine is from Bourdeaux,
California will never grow anything even close.
because of course there aren't centuries of culture here.
Therefor I'd be a fool to even try."

you can go back to georges de latour - he was raised in the bordeaux tradition but left for newer pastures....
and that's my point. there are countless examples of this, and for those who care to only hold on to tradition, closing the door to outsiders or innovation, will dig in and refuse to be swayed. those who use a critical eye see things for what they are.
many tea ware artisans have written of their education, master potters they studied under, what inspires them, and have posted images of beauty tea ware. in my opinion they have answered this quite difinitively.

[iannon]

Good thing Robert Mondavi didn't listen to all the naysayers,
and decided to go ahead and plant grapes in Napa. He could of said "Everyone knows the only good wine is from Bourdeaux,
California will never grow anything even close.
because of course there aren't centuries of culture here.
Therefor I'd be a fool to even try."

i was drooling over a bottle of Opus One last night actually..

[Chip]

open eyes
open minds
open hands to receive new and wondrous beauty ...

closed eyes
closed minds
closed hands ...

A fave story I read in school was The Lottery which dealt with tradition and how foolish unfair it could be. But because it was tradition, that is the way it had to be.

I love traditions, but I guess there needs to be balance as with most things in life.

[entropyembrace]

P.S. Look at what the british did with tea culture, they ruined it with their tear crush method, and teabags, they completely forgot the essence of tea culture, they made the whole western wolrd think of tea as some dust in a bag, this happens when you ignore the tradition, they tried to imitate something without trying first to understand it, I am afraid this would happen if western potters try to imitate asian pottery, it would be an epigony, a distorted picture of the real art.

The British also gave us fine teas such as single estate, high altitude Darjeelings and Ceylons and a beautiful new style of teaware.



Japan had no native tea culture either. They had to copy from China...Japan was first exposed to tea in the 9th century but it took until the 16th century before their modern tea culture began to evolve. They began merely attempting to copy popular Chinese styles of the time...but over the centuries have evolved a unique tea culture of their own.

The same is happening in the west...even though we lost our way for a while with the rise of consumer culture after world war 2...which was to blame for the sad state of tea culture in the west that you described...something which originated mostly in the United States not with Britain.

It´s the consumer culture...buy, use, dispose and buy again that caused a degeneration of our tea culture to teabags full of dust...that caused the western teapot to almost disappear. There are western potters today that are rejecting that and deciding to dedicate themselves to tea. These people hand make pieces to be functional, beautiful and with the intention that they be used to prepare tea for many, many years. At first they usually begin simply trying to copy older asian styles but looking at many of the newer pieces of the more experienced western potters I´m seeing a lot of experimentation going on and new styles emerging. I think that is something worth nurturing and helping to grow rather than simply rejecting out of hand as junk. Because if we reject these potters simply because of where they were born we will never be able to develop a healthy and unique western tea culture....and those teabags full of dust won´t fade into the past.