Sencha cup with poem c. 19th century

The Sencha cup with poem was made by Ōtagaki Rengetsu, date unknown. Look closely at the cup's understated elegance. The stoneware material radiates a warm, tactile appeal, inviting interaction. Its cylindrical form, gently tapering towards the base, speaks of functional grace, providing stability and balance. The poem's inscription, carved into the body, transforms the cup into a canvas for linguistic and visual expression. The calligraphy, with its delicate yet assertive lines, introduces a narrative element that intersects with the cup's physical form. The textural contrast between the smooth glaze and the incised characters invites a dialogue between seeing and touching, engaging multiple senses. In this intersection of text and object, Rengetsu challenges fixed meanings by intertwining the utilitarian and the artistic, elevating a humble object to a sphere of contemplation and aesthetic experience. The poem itself may challenge fixed meanings and encourage a new way of thinking about space, perception and representation.