Chadogu: The Art of Tea

by Walther G. von Krenner, Ken Jeremiah

The Cha-no-Yu, or Tea Ceremony, is an aesthetic ritual intimately linked to Zen and Daoism. Its history reveals a comingling of Chinese and Japanese cultures that is not only a symbol of the complex interplay between Sino-Japanese ideas of beauty, but also the epitome of both Zen and ancient Daoist ideals: “being” in the world and understanding the inner nature of things. An appreciation of the imperfect, the asymmetrical teahouses, unpretentious bamboo ladles and scoops, and famed tea bowls may seem flawed to untrained eyes, perhaps lacking something. However, it is this perceived void that eager participants strive to identify, for usefulness arises from emptiness, just as perfection is found within imperfection. Among all the utensils used in the tea ceremony, the bowl plays the most active role. Because of its importance, aficionados strive to collect fine pieces that exemplify the unique kilns and ceramic styles preferred by various tea masters. However, few books exist that can assist them to differentiate between the various kilns. Chadogu: The Art of Tea introduces the Japanese Tea Ceremony and its original Chinese roots. The text explains the history of the Six Old Kilns, alongside Raku, Hagi, and Karatsu styles, providing information about the techniques used to create such unique pottery. The informative appendices will also prove invaluable to collectors. The photographs include some extremely rare bowls crafted for famous tea masters. The collection belongs to Walther von Krenner, who has been assembling it for more than fifty years. Throughout that time, the study of tea bowls and their makers has provided aesthetic enjoyment and constant opportunities for learning. All of the information that he has gathered is here, in this text, for the wide world of international collectors.

329 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2020