Kenzan-style Red Raku incense container with design of plum

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    mid-19th century
  • Geography

    Japan
  • Material

    Earthenware with red and white slips, iron pigment, and enamels under clear lead glaze
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 3.2 x 6.6 x 5 cm (1 1/4 x 2 5/8 x 1 15/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1901.118a-c
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1901.118a-c

Object Details

  • Artist

    Style of Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743)
    Possibly Miura Ken'ya (1821-1889)
  • Description

    Incense box (kogo)
    Clay: Raku-type earthenware
    Glaze: box: soapstone brown, with pinkish and grayish areas; cover: red, with thin whitish overflow
    Decoration: in white slip and iron pigment, under glaze. Branch of blossoming white plum (yariume).
  • Inscriptions

    Inscription
  • Provenance

    To 1901
    Bunkio Matsuki (1867-1940), Boston, to 1901 [1]
    From 1901 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bunkio Matsuki in 1901 [2]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]
    Notes:
    [1] Undated folder sheet note. See Original Pottery List, L. 1006, 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

    The Potter's Brush: The Kenzan Style in Japanese Ceramics (December 9, 2001 to October 27, 2002)
    Boxed In: Japanese Ceramics and Their Storage Boxes (September 23, 1982 to February 17, 1983)
    Ceramics by Ogata Kenzan (October 9, 1980 to October 30, 1980)
    Japanese Ceramics (April 11, 1978 to January 17, 1980)
  • Previous custodian or owner

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

    Japan
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer
  • Type

    Container
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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