Shoe tea bowl c. 20th century

Ishida Chihiro's "Shoe tea bowl" has a raw, earthy quality that speaks to the heart of ceramics. The tea bowl, made using anagama-fired stoneware, shows how the artist let the process lead the way. The texture is everything. It's rugged, almost like tree bark, and the colors! A mix of whites, greys, and rusty browns give it a weathered, organic feel. The surface isn't trying to be perfect, it's all about the natural changes from the kiln. Look closely and you can see the small speckles and marks from the firing, like tiny stories etched into the clay. I'm drawn to the way the glaze pools and drips near the base. It's a reminder that art isn't about control, but about embracing chance. This bowl reminds me of Peter Voulkos's work, who really pushed the limits of clay, it's all about the material. It's a beautiful example of how imperfection can be perfect.