How did Japanese potters make finger marks and tool marks part of a vessel’s design?

In Japanese pottery, the inclusion of finger and tool marks as part of a vessel’s design reflects a deep aesthetic appreciation for natural, uncontrived forms. Rather than striving for the flawless symmetry often sought in other traditions, Japanese potters frequently chose to accentuate the physical evidence of the creation process.12

Specifically, ridges left by a potter's fingers on a newly thrown vessel were often highlighted rather than smoothed away, and marks made by tools during the shaping process were frequently left untouched. This practice aligns with the broader Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, simplicity, and the honest expression of an object's making. By preserving these marks, the potter reveals the "impress of the hand," creating a connection between the maker and the user that emphasizes the vessel's unique, human-crafted history.123