1. Wabi-Sabi/Japanese Tea Bowls
Studio Art & Design 1:
A Sense of Place
Wabi-Sabi/Japanese Tea Bowls
By Lori Ann Eshbaugh
Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”-Chinese Proverb

2. What is your favorite beverage?
Do you have a favorite cup?
Why?
Describe…

3. One of my favorite beverages is tea.
These are some of the qualities of my favorite tea cup:
Interesting inside
Wide rim
Short size
colorful

4. Challenge: To create multiple vessels to explore and communicate the psychological impact of a place on its inhabitants

5. Agenda: day one Discuss qualities of favorite beverage vessels
Handout Presentation Notes Pages (graded)
State challenge: To create multiple vessels to explore and communicate the psychological impact of a place on its inhabitants
Introduce aspects of the wabi-sabi aesthetic as a sense of place including:
Ceremonies
Tea Rooms
Historical figures
Group Visual Thinking Strategy-Compare & Contrast
Discuss aesthetics Wabi-Sabi
Cover criteria for ceramic tea bowls
*Homework: Research Japanese Tea Bowls, Tea Ceremonies, Tea rooms-add notes to visual journals-complete FLIP Handout

6. Honemi Koetsu Sen no Rikyu Raku Potter Japanese Tea Master
16th C. Tea master was brought in to teach the fine art of the tea ceremony to the shoguns (military); he is credited with establishing the manners and etiquette for tea ceramonies
Raku tea bowls were originated through his collaboration with Koetsu
The wabi-sabi aesthetic began with an influence from Zen Buddhism

7. Wabi-Sabi Chawan (Tea Bowls)

11. Oriental potters believe one finds the soul in the inside of a tea bowl, while the outside is mainly cosmetic.

12. Tea bowl made by Yabe Mokoto, Japan 1993
Wabi Sabi aesthetic
Black Raku tea bowl 3rd-7th generation of the Raku family, Japan 1800s
Tea bowl made by Yabe Mokoto, Japan 1993

13. Wabi Sabi Wabi – inner nature of human life
Sabi – outer, material side of life
Aesthetic which appreciates:
Rough, ridges (not fine and smooth)
Rustic natural
Cracks and crevices and element of chance
Finds beauty in the fleeting temporary state of nature
Simple, delicate, fragile
Celebrates marks from time, weather and loving use
Embracing imperfection was honored as a healthy reminder to cherish our unpolished selves, here and now, just as we are.

15. Criteria: Hand build three Japanese tea bowls using a wabi-sabi aesthetic
All three bowls must have different shapes
Give the inside an element of ‘soul’
Include one ‘summer’ and one ‘winter’ bowl
First tea bowl must be pinched
Second tea bowl must be coiled
Third bowl is your choice

16. Difference between Summer and Winter Tea Bowls
Summer: Wide rim, shallow depth Winter: Average rim, deep depth
to allow tea to cool to allow tea to stay warm

17. Begin Sketches for Pinched Japanese Tea Bowl

18. Japanese Tea Bowls-Day 2
By Lori Ann Eshbaugh
”Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”-Chinese Proverb

19. Agenda: day two
Share research on Japanese Tea ceremonies, Tea Rooms, Examples of Tea bowls
Introduce aspects of the wabi-sabi aesthetic as a sense of place including:
Ceremonies
Tea Rooms
Handout Presentation Notes Pages (graded)-Continue
Review Challenge and Criteria
Develop sketches of Japanese Tea Bowls
Review “What is clay, exactly?”
Explore qualities of Soldate clay-learn to measure 1 lb-1.5 lb balls of clay
Review Steps of Pinch Method
Discuss safety measures
*Homework:
1. Read article “What should not go down the drain” -add notes to visual journals
2. Research Pinch Method of making a clay vessel-complete handout

20. Japanese Tea Ceremonies
The Japanese tea ceremony is performed in appreciation of natural beauty.
It is a special event traditionally served with a performance aspect.
It involves the preparation of tea in a formal setting according to prescribed rules.
Zen Buddhism was a primary influence in the development of the Japanese Tea Ceremony
Moment of quiet exchange and introspection
Traveled into Japan from China by Silk Road from a Buddhist monk

21. Health benefits of drinking tea
Tea contains many vitamins and some minerals, such as fluoride.
It is a stimulant as it contains caffeine which allows for clear thinking and mental alertness
Promotes digestion, dissolves fats, neutralizes poisons inside the digestive tract and lowers fevers
Can be used to clean sores and wash out the eyes and mouth.

22. Katsura Palace, Japan Famous Tea House, 1625

23. Inside Katsura Palace Rustic-Cottage like tea house
Nostalgia for simple life
Asymmetrical inside with natural features
Niche-where tea is made
Object for guest to meditate on: vase with flower, scroll, calligraphy

25. Refine sketches for Pinched Japanese Tea Bowl

26. What is clay, exactly?
Clay is a special kind of earth which is made by the decomposition of rocks through the action of weathering.
What does that mean?
Well basically, over time, bits of earth are carried from one place to another by water and deposited in areas where the water slows down to a trickle. (Have you ever gone digging by the water's edge only to grab a handful of muck? Well that muck is clay.) As the bits of earth travel with the water, they pick up all sorts of stuff and by the time we pick up a box of clay from the pottery store, the muck has been collected and prepared for us to use. All of the tiny rocks and lumps have been removed and some additional materials, like sand are sometimes added to create the perfect workable clay.

27. Stages of Clay Wet Soft Leather-hard Medium Leather-hard
Hard Leather-hard
Bone dry-Green ware
*1st fire
Bisque ware-very breakable
Glaze
*2nd fire
Glazed-Finished piece

28. Pinch Method Review:
2. Roll the clay into a large ball and make sure it is moist.
Wedge 1 lb. of clay to get rid of all of the air pockets.
3. Use your thumb and push down, creating hole in the center of the ball.
4. Make sure that the hole is at least one and a half inch deep.
5. Using your thumb and index finger, pinch and press the clay upward.
6. Flatten the bottom by carefully pressing it against a table, then indent with thumb.
7. Smooth out the pot with a rib or use tools to create a textured surface-add colored slip.
8. Let it dry.
9. Underglaze then 1st fire as Bisque ware. Glaze and 2nd fire as finished piece.

29. Give special attention to the following:
rim: where your lips will touch
sides: where your hands will touch
foot: where bowl will sit
inside and/or bottom: an unexpected element for surprise!
surface techniques: decorative and wabi-sabi in nature
gauging: ¼” thickness throughout
function: no cracks; must hold water
size: design to fit into the palm or YOUR left hand while holding on side with your right hand

30. WARNING:
DO NOT ALLOW CLAY TO GO DOWN THE DRAIN! If clay gets into the sink, we will have a major problem.
Always rinse your hands in a bucket of water ... the clay will settle to the bottom and you will be able to pour the water off the top (outside) and you will be able to use the slurry clay at a later time.
DO NOT SWEEP CLAY PARTICLES INTO THE AIR! Use wet sponges to remove clay from working areas and floor so that we do not breath in the clay dust which can be harmful to our lungs.
REMEMBER TO COVER BOWLS WITH PLASTIC ON A BOARD! If not, the tea bowl will dry to quickly and crack.

31. Begin Sketches for Coiled Japanese Tea Bowl

32. Japanese Tea Bowls-Day 3
By Lori Ann Eshbaugh
”Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”-Chinese Proverb

33. Agenda: day three Share more examples of Japanese Tea bowls
Handout Presentation Notes Pages (graded)-Continue
Review Challenge and Criteria
Refine sketches for Pinched method of Japanese Tea Bowl
Pinch Method
Share information researched
Demonstrate
Create 1st Japanese Tea Bowl
Review safety measures
*Homework:
1. Work on sketches for coiled Japanese Tea Bowl
2. Research Coil Method of making a clay vessel-complete handout

36. Refine sketches for Coiled Japanese Tea Bowl

37. Japanese Tea Bowls-Day 4
By Lori Ann Eshbaugh
”Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”-Chinese Proverb

38. Agenda: day four Share more examples of Japanese Tea bowls
Handout Presentation Notes Pages (graded)-Continue
Review Challenge and Criteria
Refine sketches for Coiled method of Japanese Tea Bowl
Demonstration of Coil Method
Create 2nd Japanese Tea Bowl
Review safety measures
*Homework:
1. Work on sketches for ‘other- Japanese Tea Bowl
2. Research various Surface Treatments for Japanese Tea Bowls
-complete handout

41. Coil Method Review: 1. Make coils
2. Assemble them by stacking the coils on top of each other.
*You can use a flat, rolled circle as the base of the pot. Then lay the coil on top of the circle and stack more coils on top of the base coil. This will produce a vertical wall.
*To widen the wall of the pot, place the clay coils slightly to the outside of each coil layer. To have the wall come inwards, place the coils slightly inside of each coil layer.
When making a pot, coils can be smooth as each layer is added or you can leave the coil shape on the outside and smooth just the inside of the pot.
4. Add a coil of clay to form a foot ring on the pot by turning the pot upside down and adding the coil clay to the base of the pot.

42. WARNING:
DO NOT ALLOW CLAY TO GO DOWN THE DRAIN! If clay gets into the sink, we will have a major problem.
Always rinse your hands in a bucket of water ... the clay will settle to the bottom and you will be able to pour the water off the top (outside) and you will be able to use the slurry clay at a later time.
DO NOT SWEEP CLAY PARTICLES INTO THE AIR! Use wet sponges to remove clay from working areas and floor so that we do not breath in the clay dust which can be harmful to our lungs.
REMEMBER TO COVER BOWLS WITH PLASTIC ON A BOARD! If not, the tea bowl will dry to quickly and crack.

43. Begin Sketches for ‘other’ Japanese Tea Bowl

44. Japanese Tea Bowls-Day 5
By Lori Ann Eshbaugh
”Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”-Chinese Proverb

45. Agenda: day five Share more examples of Japanese Tea bowls
Review Challenge and Criteria
Refine sketches for ‘other’ method of Japanese Tea Bowl
Gallery walk for sketches and notes
Surface Techniques
Share Research Found
Demonstrate Various Techniques
Create 3rd Japanese Tea Bowl
Add surface decorations
Review safety measures

46. Surface Decorations Carving Incising Stamping Impressing Slip Trailing
Sgraffito
Slip Inlay
Colored slip
Piercing
Sprigs
Stencils
Incising
Carving
Sgraffito
Slip Inlay
Colored Slip
Stencils
Piercing
Sprigs

47. Japanese Tea Bowls-Day 6
By Lori Ann Eshbaugh
”Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”-Chinese Proverb

48. Agenda: day six Critique-Peer Review Write and Discuss-turn in
Students present their Sketches and Notes
Assess additional time needed
Surface Techniques
Continue to share research on techniques
Demonstrate more techniques
Complete all three bowls with surface techniques-Greenware Stage
Review Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic

49. Japanese Tea Bowls- Day 7
By Lori Ann Eshbaugh
”Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”-Chinese Proverb

50. Agenda: day seven Discuss Kiln-cone 6
Review Stages of Clay-We are in Greenware Stage going into first firing
Refine and complete all sketches and notes
Complete all three bowls with all surface decorations

51. Japanese Tea Bowls- Day 8
By Lori Ann Eshbaugh
”Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”-Chinese Proverb

52. Agenda: day eight Demonstrate glazing process
Students take notes on glazes used
Complete glazing for all three vessels
Discuss Final Firing-no pieces can tough

53. Japanese Tea Bowls- Day 9
By Lori Ann Eshbaugh
”Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”-Chinese Proverb

54. Agenda: day nine Critique-all three Japanese Tea Bowls and Notes
Review Feldman Method
Self-Assessment
Artist Statement

55. Cheers!!