[Review] Yuta Nakamura / The 162nd Meirin-sakai 'Triangulation of Earth Flavor: Prologue, 1-1' Review
A review of a tea ceremony comparing ceramics from Japan, France, and Benin to explore the theme of 'earth flavor' through direct experience.Summary
This article is a review of the 162nd Meirin-sakai tea ceremony, titled 'Triangulation of Earth Flavor: Prologue, 1-1,' held at the Kyoto Art Center. The theme was inspired by anthropologist Junzo Kawata's 'cultural triangulation,' applying the method to compare the 'earth flavor' (dohmi) of ceramics from three locations: Japan, France, and Benin. The reviewer, Yuta Nakamura, could not attend the event but pieced together the experience from a pre-event visit, photos, and reports. He initially misjudged the ceramics as individual art objects, but realized the true highlight was the direct, sensory encounter ('kanji') with the vessels as the host prepared and served tea. The review draws an analogy to a sumo wrestling tournament's deciding bout, emphasizing that the 'triangulation' is not about intellectual comparison but about the visceral, present-moment engagement on the 'dohyo' (ring) between the user and the object.
(Source：ART iT)