Plate c. 20th century

This plate was made by Shimaoka Tatsuzō, though its date is unknown, and what's interesting is how the whole thing feels like a process. Not just making a plate, but an investigation of the material. Look closely and you can see the tiny marks, like stitches, across the whole surface. This texture isn't just decoration, it feels integral. It's about touch, how the artist engaged with the clay. There's also this beautiful pooling of glaze in the center, a soft, almost iridescent sheen that contrasts with the rougher edges. The rim is left raw, a toasted brown, creating a frame that highlights the delicacy of the interior. Tatsuzō was a student of Hamada Shōji, and like his teacher, he embraced the imperfections and spontaneity of the ceramic process. What is so appealing is its quietness. It is not concerned with perfection or precision, but with the beauty of simple gestures, repeated and transformed by fire.