A classical Yahazuguchi style vase from the 19th century kilns of Iga with deep comb scores and paddle marks impressed into the raw red clay, a smattering of ash about the rim.Perfect for a tea room, it is 14.5 cm (6 inches) diameter, 27.5 cm (11 inches) tall and in excellent condition. It comes in a cloth pouch originally lined with silk which has disintegrated with time, enclosed in an old age darkened wooden box.
Iga pottery truly encapsulates the Japanese aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi. Wabi-sabi is a traditional Japanese aesthetic centered on embracing imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. Rooted in Zen Buddhist philosophy, it values the beauty found in natural aging, irregularity, and the transient nature of life. Wabi suggests rustic simplicity, humility, and a connection to nature, while sabi highlights the serenity that comes with time and wear. This aesthetic is often reflected in art, architecture, and everyday objects, emphasizing raw textures, asymmetry, and subdued colors. A weathered tea bowl, with its cracks and patina, embodies wabi-sabi, symbolizing quiet dignity and a life well-lived. Wabi-sabi challenges conventional ideals of beauty by finding perfection in flaws, urging mindfulness and appreciation of the present moment. It reminds us that nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect—an ethos that fosters peace and acceptance in an ever-changing world.
