Akahada ware teapot for steeped green tea

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    mid 19th century
  • Geography

    Akahada kiln, Koriyama, Nara prefecture, Japan
  • Material

    Stoneware with clear and iron-brown glazes
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 5.4 x 12 x 12 cm (2 1/8 x 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1899.78a-c
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1899.78a-c

Object Details

  • Artist

    Okuda Mokuhaku (1799-1871)
  • Description

    Teapot for sencha (kyusu). Disc cover with finial. Chinese lion (karashishi)
    Clay: resonant, buff-gray.
    Glaze: dark brown, greenish cast. Figures in relief under clear glaze. Iron wash on interior of pot, bottom of lid.
    Decorations: Chinese lion (on cover) and dragon on body in relief.
    Seal: Akahadayama [CHN], without frame, and Mokuhaku [CHN], in oval frame, impressed on base outside foot.
  • Marks

    Akahadayama [JPN], without frame, and Mokuhaku [JPN], in oval frame, impressed on base outside foot.
  • Provenance

    To 1899
    Bunkio Matsuki (1867-1940), Boston, to 1899 [1]
    From 1899 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bunkio Matsuki in 1899 [2]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]
    Notes:
    [1] See Original Pottery List, L. 276, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.
    [2] See note 1.
    [3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Tea for...Everyone: Popular Ceramics for Drinking Tea in Japan (March 8 to October 19, 2008)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Bunkio Matsuki 松木文恭 (1867-1940) (C.L. Freer source)
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)
  • Origin

    Akahada kiln, Koriyama, Nara prefecture, Japan
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer
  • Type

    Vessel
  • Restrictions and Rights

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