Kenzan-style Black Raku tea bowl with design of mountain retreat

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    mid-18th century
  • Geography

    Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture, Japan
  • Material

    Earthenware with Black Raku glaze, white slip, iron and cobalt pigments under clear lead glaze
  • Dimension

    H x Diam: 7.2 × 9 cm (2 13/16 × 3 9/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1902.53
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1902.53

Object Details

  • Artist

    Ogata Ihachi (Kyoto Kenzan II) (active 1720-1760)
  • Description

    Tea bowl, cylindrical, low foot.
    Clay: low-fired earthenware.
    Glaze: Black Raku; orange peel surface.
    Decoration: incised through white slip, details in cobalt pigment.
  • Signatures

    "Kenzan" incised through white slip in panel on base.
  • Provenance

    To 1902
    Bunkio Matsuki (1867-1940), Boston, to 1902 [1]
    From 1902 to 1919
    Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bunkio Matsuki in 1902 [2]
    From 1920
    Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [2]
    Notes:
    [1]
    See Original Pottery List, L. 1117, 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 Ceramics after Koetsu (June 27, 2015 to January 3, 2016)
    Bold and Beautiful: Rinpa in Japanese Art (June 28, 2015 to January 3, 2016)
    Japanese Arts in the Edo Period: 1615-1868, part 2 (March 8 to October 19, 2008)
    Japanese Arts in the Edo Period: 1615-1868, part 1 (August 18, 2007 to February 24, 2008)
    The Potter's Brush: The Kenzan Style in Japanese Ceramics (December 9, 2001 to October 27, 2002)
  • Previous custodian or owner

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

    Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture, Japan
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Charles Lang Freer
  • Type

    Vessel
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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