Cup (yunomi) c. early 21th century

This little cup, a yunomi, was made by Mori Seishi, and now lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The earthy tones and subtle imperfections have this kind of wabi-sabi vibe going on. I think it's interesting how artmaking, in any form, is really about embracing process. When you look closely, the cup's surface tells a story. You can see the marks left by the artist's hand, the way the glaze pooled and dripped during firing. The ridges circling the cup add this tactile dimension, like you can feel the artist shaping it on the wheel. And then there's this diagonal slash across the surface, a bold gesture that cuts through the symmetry. It's like the artist is saying, "Hey, this isn't just a perfect vessel. It's a moment frozen in time." It reminds me of Lucie Rie's ceramics, how she let the materials speak for themselves. It's about celebrating the unexpected, finding beauty in the flaws, and understanding that art is an ongoing conversation.