The teabowl

"The teabowl has become an iconic ceramic form in recent years. Having travelled from the East, where it was an inherent part of the Japanese tea ceremony, it has evolved and adapted to become something very different in the West. Revered for its oriental associations 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 ceremonies, to how it travelled to the West and the way it is used today. She also explores the wide range of teabowls being made today and the contemporary, 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. "--