"Kokoro shugetsu ni nitari," which translates as "My mind is like the autumn moon," is a line from a Chinese poem expressing the Zen sensation felt strongly during this harvest season. Pure and reflecting without hesitation, the moon is a metaphor for our hearts and one that all of humanity could do well to learn from.
The same analogy can be made with a chawan (tea bowl). Held in the hands, irrespective of the holder's race or religion, the chawan offers an inward space to quietly reflect on the gift of each moment (in the Way of Tea, this is referred to as ichi-go ichi-e; a once-in-a-lifetime encounter) and of the people whom we share the moments with. There are four main principles that govern interaction with treasured tea utensils and people. They are harmony (wa), respect (kei), purity (sei) and tranquillity (jaku).
I'd like to introduce one exhibition where you may see the finest chawan made by a Zen-spirited man. It is my hope that by finding the global spirit inside a chawan, and ourselves, we may come to truly understand the four principles and the "moon mind" in us all.
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