It's a good tea bowl, but what an ordinary thing!

Muneyoshi Yanagi

The philosopher of folk art says that he grunted in admiration in spite of himself when he first saw the tea bowl “Kiemon Ido,” which is called “Omeibutsu." The bowl has the roots in prevalent, simple various pots of Korea. It does not have any disturbance, plot, malicious spirit, or a disease called art. He also says that nature without the least tint of artificialness makes the bowl sound. Don't forget that mediocrity is also a kind of achievement. From “Muneyoshi Yanagi Essays OnTea Ceremony.”

"October 21  2019

from “Oriori no Kotoba” by Kiyokazu Washida, The Asahi Shimbun"