Water container (mizusashi) c. 20th century

Here we see a water container, or mizusashi, by Uematsu Eiji. Its rustic appearance speaks to the wabi-sabi aesthetic, celebrating imperfection and simplicity, drawing from Zen Buddhist principles. The layered ash glaze mimics the earth’s strata. Think of ancient amphorae, vessels that carried water across the Mediterranean, symbols of life and sustenance in antiquity. In Japanese tea culture, the water container is a symbol of purity and renewal, used in the tea ceremony, a ritual steeped in mindfulness and respect. Note how the random speckling contrasts with the geometry of the piece; the cyclical interplay of chaos and order. The rough texture invites touch, linking us to the earth. As the philosopher Gaston Bachelard suggests, such elemental images resonate deeply, stirring primal memories of shelter and nourishment. This mizusashi embodies a cyclical dialogue between tradition and innovation, reflecting our enduring connection to the natural world.