2-732-842 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Kettle with Crane Design, 1392-1573. Water supplied from a jar such as the fine Shino-ware vessel (1972.9.a-b) was transferred to an iron kettle for boiling as part of the tea ceremony. Former CMA director Sherman Lee described the jagged, broken skirt of this kettle as "attractively damaged," complementing the unobtrusive wispy designs on its rough metal surface. The character of this kettle-worn, coarse, the "perfection" of symmetry destroyed-was cherished by tea masters for its powerful humility.