The teabowl has become an iconic form in contemporary ceramics. Having
travelled from Japan, where it was an inherent part of chanoyu, or tea
ceremony, it has evolved and adapted to become something very different
in the West.
Revered for its associations of its past and its connotations of
sophistication and simplicity, the teabowl enjoys an elevated status.
Here, Bonnie Kemske looks at the form as a whole, considering the
history and ideas behind the original tea ceremony: how it moved into
contemporary ceramics, and the way it is used today. She explores the
wide range of teabowls, from traditional ones to those being made not
for the tearoom but for the gallery, as well as introducing the
international potters making them.
The book also tackles some difficult questions, notably, how has the
concept of the teabowl changed as it has been reinvented in contemporary
ceramics? How does it sit in relation to its history? This book is wide
in scope, thorough in detail and essential reading for anyone involved
in making or using these tactile objects.