Vase c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have a ceramic vase made by Shimaoka Tatsuzo, around the 20th century. The subdued earthy tones give it a rustic, almost ancient feel. What symbols or stories do you think it might be holding? Curator: What immediately draws my eye is the intentionality behind what might seem like a simple, everyday object. It's not just a vase; it’s a vessel of cultural memory. Consider the incised texture on the body of the vase— the patterns are so meticulously repeated. Do you think it echoes textile patterns or perhaps even cord markings from Jomon pottery, some of the oldest earthenware known to Japan? Editor: I can see that, the marks almost give it a tactile feel. So you think it connects to even earlier Japanese artistic traditions? Curator: Precisely! The artist invites us to ponder our cultural origins through this unassuming form. In essence, it embodies *mingei*, the Japanese folk-art movement philosophy which highlights beauty in everyday objects. Editor: So, beyond its simple appearance, it encourages us to recognize the rich history ingrained within it? It makes you wonder about the symbolism even in its silhouette. Curator: Yes! The shape itself -- a sturdy body capped with a slender neck -- represents containment and controlled release. The artist understood, intuitively, that an image resonates far beyond its immediate appearance, acting as a symbolic reservoir of shared experience. This continuity creates a powerful link between the maker, the object, and the beholder across time. What did you glean? Editor: It's definitely broadened my appreciation of this vase from purely aesthetic, into also considering artistic intentions and Japanese cultural visual language.