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.

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Historical period(s)
Edo period, 17th century
Medium
Stoneware with natural ash glaze
Style
Tokoname ware
Dimensions
H x Diam: 22.8 Ă— 18.8 cm (9 Ă— 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)

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, Hayashiya Seizo. 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
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