Nature/Natural
The term punch’ong literally means “powder green” and refers to a variety of wares made during the early Choson dynasty, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Though mainly mass produced as rice bowls for commoners, punch’ong wares were also appreciated by the ruling class.
In the late fifteenth century, Japanese tea connoisseurs began to admire the simple and coarse qualities of punch’ong vessels. The rapid decoration of these bowls with rice straw brushes produced coarse linear effects that suggest speed and energy. The bowls often have fingerprints and other careless marks that suggest a lack of artifice or naturalness. Japanese tea connoisseurs esteemed such qualities. They created silk covers and elegant wooden boxes for prized bowls. They also gave them poetic titles and keep records of when and with whom they were used. Though the Japanese tried to reproduce the spontaneous qualities of these wares, they could never achieve a true likeness.
The term punch’ong literally means “powder green” and refers to a variety of wares made during the early Choson dynasty, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Though mainly mass produced as rice bowls for commoners, punch’ong wares were also appreciated by the ruling class.
In the late fifteenth century, Japanese tea connoisseurs began to admire the simple and coarse qualities of punch’ong vessels. The rapid decoration of these bowls with rice straw brushes produced coarse linear effects that suggest speed and energy. The bowls often have fingerprints and other careless marks that suggest a lack of artifice or naturalness. Japanese tea connoisseurs esteemed such qualities. They created silk covers and elegant wooden boxes for prized bowls. They also gave them poetic titles and keep records of when and with whom they were used. Though the Japanese tried to reproduce the spontaneous qualities of these wares, they could never achieve a true likeness.
Korean ceramics in this style are known as punch’ong ware and have been made for hundreds of years. Punch’ong means “powder green” and refers to the blue-green color of these ceramics. People valued this style for its coarse and natural appearance. These ceramics were so popular in Japan, people made special boxes to store them in. They even gave poetic and elegant names to these bowls.
Are there objects that you treasure? If so, how do you care for them or set them apart from other objects?
Imagine holding a warm bowl of tea, a cup of hot chocolate, or another favorite warm drink in your hands. Breathe in deeply through your nose to smell the rich scent of the drink. Then blow out through your mouth to cool the drink, imagining the steam slowly billowing away from you. Try repeating these breaths five times. How do you feel?
Archive Label 2003:
The term punch’ong literally means “powder green” and refers to a variety of wares made during the early Choson dynasty, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Though mainly mass produced as rice bowls for commoners, punch’ong wares were also appreciated by the ruling class.
In the late fifteenth century, Japanese tea connoisseurs began to admire the simple and coarse qualities of punch’ong vessels. The rapid decoration of these bowls with rice straw brushes produced coarse linear effects that suggest speed and energy. The bowls often have fingerprints and other careless marks that suggest a lack of artifice or naturalness. Japanese tea connoisseurs esteemed such qualities. They created silk covers and elegant wooden boxes for prized bowls. They also gave them poetic titles and keep records of when and with whom they were used. Though the Japanese tried to reproduce the spontaneous qualities of these wares, they could never achieve a true likeness.
