Tokoname ware storage jar

Dark gray clay, lustrous dark brown on surface. Large cross-shaped potter’s mark incised on body. Natural deposits of ash glaze on shoulder, including large patch of opaque white rice-straw ash, partially flaked off.

Historical period(s)
Edo period, 17th century
Medium
Stoneware with natural ash glaze
Style
Tokoname ware
Dimensions
H x Diam: 22.8 × 18.8 cm (9 × 7 3/8 in)
Geography
Japan, Aichi prefecture, Tokoname kilns
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1899.27
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Jar

Keywords
Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan, stoneware, Tokoname ware
Provenance

To 1899
S. Eida, to 1899 [1]

From 1899 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from S. Eida in 1899 [2]

From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Original Pottery List, L. 156, 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.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

S. Eida (C.L. Freer source)
Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919

Description

Dark gray clay, lustrous dark brown on surface. Large cross-shaped potter's mark incised on body. Natural deposits of ash glaze on shoulder, including large patch of opaque white rice-straw ash, partially flaked off.

Label

Unglazed stonewares began to be made in the Tokoname area in the 12th century, and they were shipped to markets throughout Japan. The most important early wares were vats in various sizes, but the kilns also made smaller jars. Unglazed stoneware continued to be a mainstay of the Tokoname kilns until recent decades, although glazed wares and unglazed red wares imitating Chinese I-hsing pottery were also produced.

Published References
  • Mizuoka Tadanari, Narasaki Shoichi, Seizō Hayashiya. Nihon yakimono shusei. 12 vols., Tokyo, 1980-1982. vol. 2: p. 33, fig. 130.
  • Louise Allison Cort. Seto and Mino Ceramics. Washington and Honolulu, 1992. cat. 6, p. 67.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. 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 Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use