Yohaku – white space
Hi, or should I say こんにちは Konnichiwa ? Dave and I went up to London today, to visit an exhibition of beautiful art and craft at Japan House in Kensington High Street.
The Exhibition is called Hyakko. 100+ makers from Japan contribute to a collection of almost 2,000 beautifully hand-crafted pieces. Mostly ceramics, which was like heaven for me. Clay, glass, wood, leather, metal and bamboo actually, but primarily ceramics. Exquisite work.
There is an energy in the gallery that is difficult to put into words. These are everyday objects, yet they carry an extraordinary depth of spiritual beauty and a quiet confidence born of human skill. Nothing shouts for attention; instead, each piece invites you to slow down, look closer, and sense the care, discipline and intention embedded within it. Function and beauty are inseparable here – the ordinary elevated through respect for materials, process and time. I want to go back again. The exhibition is on until May, so I shall. I felt privileged to be there. And it is free.
At the entrance, a glossary of Japanese words and expressions is written on the wall. I found myself lingering there, reading and absorbing every one – right up my street. It was striking how deeply those ideas resonate with our SHAC and Clarity ethos: attentiveness, repetition, care, and finding meaning in the everyday. I loved that wall too.
Here is one such expression that I was particularly drawn to:
Yohaku. White Space
In Japan an unfilled area is not only empty, but an active space that invites imagination. In paintings or on vessels, this space stimulates personal interpretation, bringing flexibility and a sense of enrichment to daily life.
Love that. Let’s encourage a little less noise and a little more Yohaku in our art.
There were a few pieces for sale upstairs in the gallery shop. A rather formidable Kintsugi Vase caught my eye…cost a pretty penny too. Ouch. Very, very beautiful though.
I’ll make one, then drop it, then kintsugi it, then see if I get any takers at the Open Days!!!
I am so filled with joy and inspiration, all I want to do is get out in the garage and throw a bowl. Today’s exhibition filled me with awe, and honestly, a few of my best pieces would have sat quite well in there. It excited me to think that. But that was the magic of the gallery: beauty in everyday things.
Have a great weekend! Or as the Japanese would say…Yoi shūmatsu o!
Love and Clarity
Barb x x x
6 thoughts on “Yohaku – white space”
Sounds like a great day out.
Glad you are enjoying your pottery. I think you could make some great Kintsugi pieces.
Funny, I was only thinking today if you had managed to get into the garage and make some pots! Those Japanese ones are gorgeous! Such clean lines. The words have good explanations too that seem logical! How lovely that it was free to see! If only it wasn’t so expensive together to London nowadays! Still, one can dream!
Have a good weekend.
Wow, that’s incredible. As you say that certainly was right up your street.
I love the philosophy of Kintsugi. A couple of years ago I was fortunate to be able to attend a Kintsugi Wellbeing course. It ran for about 10 weeks. Each week focused on something different. The idea being that we can go through certain things in life which affect us greatly. It showed how to cope/adapt to each circumstance. The idea being that people can be broken but can be put back together again and become a better/stronger person.
so good to see that you had a day off and enjoyed looking at works by others to inspire you.
Wow what a fabulous was to spend a dreary, weather wise, day and even better that it was free to enter. I bet you can’t wait to get back into the garage and fire up the kiln again. Have a great weekend doing what you enjoy best.
These are very beautiful…..!
Peace, calm and serenity come to mind….