A traditional shaped vase with lug handles and indented mouth from the late Edo kilns of Iga enclosed in an ancient lacquered wooden box.It is 16 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter, 26.5 cm (10-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
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.
