The Language of Things: How Objects Speak of Human Identity

Objects are a central part of daily life. What we use and how we use it shape our routines, beliefs, and shared values. In Japan, handcrafted items are created with care and purpose, reflecting respect for materials and an appreciation for crafstmanship. By looking closely at these objects, we can reflect how traditions and identity are preserved making material culture personal and collective.

interior of a japanese ryokan

The relationship between humans and objects is a fundamental aspect of human existence. From the moment of birth, we engage with the objects that surround us, shaping our perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors. Across the globe, diverse cultures exhibit unique ways of interacting with objects, reflecting their values, traditions, and historical contexts.

Material culture encompasses the physical objects and artifacts produced, used, and exchanged within a society. Looking deeper into these objects offers valuable insight into how communities function, communicate, and express their values. Its significance differs across cultures but often plays a key role in shaping collective identity, preserving traditions, and conveying beliefs.

Japanese culture emphasises minimalism and simplicity, deeply rooted in traditional philosophies like Zen Buddhism. The Japanese aesthetic values the beauty of simplicity, natural materials, and the appreciation of imperfections. Objects such as tea bowls, bonsai trees, and traditional wooden furniture exemplify this profound connection between Japanese culture and its material artefacts. These objects hold great significance within Japanese ceremonies and rituals, representing an approach to life that cherishes simplicity and harmony.

In Ikebana, the vase as an object is part of the harmony

Jun'ichiro Tanizaki's "In Praise of Shadows" beautifully delves into the concept of minimalism and simplicity in Japanese culture. The book explores how the appreciation of shadows, darkness, and imperfections is deeply embedded in traditional Japanese aesthetics, particularly in their architecture and interior design. Tanizaki celebrates the muted and subdued qualities of Japanese culture, which prioritize the subtle beauty of objects and spaces over overt opulence.

In Japanese aesthetics, craftsmanship holds paramount significance, embodying the essence of meticulous attention to detail and dedication to excellence. The concept of "shokunin" (craftsman) carries great reverence in Japanese culture, emphasizing the artisan's commitment to honing their skills over years of training and practice. Japanese artisans approach their work as a form of spiritual expression. This devotion to craftsmanship not only produces objects of exceptional beauty and quality but also instills a sense of mindfulness and harmony between the creator, the material, and the eventual user. The deep respect for craftsmanship in Japanese aesthetics reflects the belief that every object has a soul and embodies the essence of the craftsperson's spirit, making each creation a work of art imbued with a profound sense of cultural heritage and artistic legacy.

The relationships between humans and objects in different cultures offer a rich tapestry for understanding human behavior and society. Whether through consumerism, minimalism, spirituality, or craftsmanship, material culture profoundly influences the way we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us. Studying these diverse relationships can lead to a deeper appreciation of cultural diversity and a more profound understanding of our shared humanity.

Onta-Yaki: A Gem From Japan

“Made for a purpose, made to do work. Sold to be used in everyday life.”

— Yanagi Soetsu

Take yourself to Onta, a 300-year-old hamlet nestled between mountains outside the city of Hita, Japan. A small community of potters purify, shape and fire local earth to produce pottery referred to as ‘Onta-yaki’ using techniques and methods passed down from generation to generation.

set of plates crafted using the kushime technique, from Onta village

A winding road runs through the village alongside a river, houses and kilns sit backing onto the river. Here watermills crush the turmeric-coloured earth collected from the mountains into a fine powder, the thump of the millstones echo through the valley as the sound of the passing river settles into the background. During the several annual firings, the smell of the kilns fills the air, and smoke slowly rises from the staggered roofs, cantilevering over the river. 

The village has carefully preserved traditional methods, mindfully harvesting local materials and energy from the earth to produce long-lasting earthenware. The clay is collected from the mountains, purified using the power of the river, and then fired and glazed using wood-fired kilns. Each aspect of this production is unique to Onta, including patterns such as "hakeme" (brush marks), "tobikana" (distinct patterns), finger drawings, and "kushigaki" (combed lines), adding to the unique identity of every piece.

Map of Onta Village, Japan

There is a strong sense of community in the village of Onta, with families playing a crucial role in the creation of every piece, each one inscribed with the mark of “Onta (小鹿田), the production is the work of the community, not that of an individual. In touch with the Mingei art movement, founded in Japan in the mid-1920s by Yanagi Sōetsu,  Onta-yaki is a rejection of the perfect.  The Mingei art movement relates to  the conceptualisation of national identity in terms of the common people  and focuses on simplicity and utility. Onta-yaki was designated by the national government as an Intangible Cultural Property of Japan  in 1970, and upgraded to Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan  in 1995 demonstrating the historic, cultural and artistic prowess of this small community.

Made solely using the power of humans and nature, Onta’s potters are creating objects that symbolise the timelessness of our relationship with the earth and a mastery of the elements. We can feel the warmth of the earth as we hold each piece in our hands, making it feel as if it has absorbed the energy of the people and the nature that has created it. Onta-yaki is designed to be used daily, becoming a part of the rituals we perform and the spaces we inhabit.