Teabowl 1734 - 1799

This small, black teabowl, or *chawan*, was created by the renowned Japanese potter Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743). Made during the Edo period, the teabowl features delicate white brushstrokes of *karakusa*, a traditional Japanese motif of stylized plants. The *chawan* is a vital element in the Japanese tea ceremony, a ritualistic practice steeped in aesthetic appreciation and mindfulness. The teabowl's simple yet elegant design reflects the *wabi-sabi* aesthetic, which values imperfection and the natural world.