Inkstone box in imitation of Koetsu

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 2
Download Image IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    19th century
  • Geography

    Tokyo, Japan
  • Material

    Raku-type earthenware with pigments under lead glaze
  • Dimension

    H x W: 9.7 x 23.2 cm (3 13/16 x 9 1/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1900.78a-d
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1900.78a-d

Object Details

  • Artist

    False seal of Hon'ami Koetsu 本阿弥光悦 (1558-1637)
  • Description

    Clay: soft, dense, white. Raku type.
    Glaze: light salmon-pink and cream; crackled.
    Decoration: in green, brown, and cream, under glaze: mountain landscape with waning moon (outside of lid), ferns (warabi) and stream (inside lid, base).
    Painted square seal on the bottom of base.
  • Marks

    Seal: "Koetsu" written with iron pigment on bottom of base, in seal script inside square frame.
  • Provenance

    Possibly Hachisuka Collection [1]
    Ikeda Seisuke (1839-1900), Kyoto, reportedly purchased in Tokushima, province of Awa, circa 1885 [2]
    To 1900
    Bunkio Matsuki (1867-1940), Boston, to 1900 [3]
    From 1900 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bunkio Matsuki in 1900 [4]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [5]
    Notes:
    [1] See Curatorial Remark 7, L.A. Cort, 1986, in the object record, for information regarding the possibility that this object was formerly in the Lord Hachisuka Collection.
    [2] According to Curatorial Remark 5, an Envelope File note, in the object record: "Bunkio Matsuki, 1900: "Old Mr. Ikeda purchased about 15 years ago in Tokushima, Province of Awa."
    [3] See Original Pottery List, L. 790, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.
    [4] See note 3.
    [5] 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
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Hachisuka Collection
    Ikeda Seisuke (1839-1900)
    Bunkio Matsuki 松木文恭 (1867-1940) (C.L. Freer source)
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)
  • Origin

    Tokyo, Japan
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer
  • Type

    Container
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

    The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring