Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Another Beautiful Autumnal Buncheong Style Tea Bowl By Uh Sang Myung

This bowl glows an earthy red- an autumn leaf about to change colour.
Its colour is its beauty. Dry, gritty, brownish red.

The outside wall of the bowl is darker and more vibrant on one side then the other. It is marked at the extreme by a burn blotch reaching over the lip of the bowl- an unpredictable scar from the fire in the kiln. Inside the bowl also reflects this imbalance- one side is darker, more colourful than the other. This is also the case as ones eyes move from the rim down on both the inside and outside of the bowl.
This effect is profound. It creates a feeling of fleeting warmth. A hazy red sunset that throws the most profound colours in the other end of the sky. Beautiful.

This feeling of calm is challenged slightly by the rough, exposed clay around the foot. A foot that exudes simplicity, and gentle ruggedness.

The globs of cloudy white gaze drip down the side and suggest slowness. They seem as if they are still slowly creeping down the sides of the bowl. They remind us to slow down.

If we cannot take the opportunity to slow down when drinking tea,
when else will we?
When watching the sun set?
When watching the seasons change?
When watching the autumn leaves turn?
Peace

2 comments:

Leaf Dharma said...

Beautiful bowl. Reflects the elements of Wabi-Sabi. Where was it made?

Matt said...

Leaf Dharma,


This beauty comes from the clay of Korea,

The hands of Uh Sang Myung,

The wood fire of a traditional Korean kiln.

Very wabi-sabi.

Peace