The Unknown Craftsman

Stacy Merrill Surla

Joseon basket

Stacy Merrill Surla

Japanese folk art theory is a model for thinking about masterworks

Kenzan-style tea bowl

Usefulness, material, technique

Early Showa / Taisho era textile

4

Genius in the ordinary

Joseon rice washing bowl

5

In masterworks we should be looking for qualities, not personalities

Seattle Library

6

What’s a masterwork in mingei theory?

Joseon Gohon tea bowl