Shigaraki Ware Mizusashi (Tea Ceremony Fresh Water Jar)
ca. 1620
Maker Unknown
Asian Art
Whereas most potters take care to filter rocks out of their clay, the potters of the Shigaraki region understand that the texture created by rocky bits of quartz and feldspar adds tactile and visual interest to their wares. The artisans add only minimal glaze, letting the surface retain its graininess.
Shigaraki, east of Kyōto, has been a kiln site for centuries, originally making utilitarian pieces such as storage jars and mortars. When the tea ceremony gained popularity in the sixteenth century, Shigaraki ceramicists were quick to adapt to the tea masters’ demands for rustic but engaging vessels, such as this deceptively simple water jar.
Shigaraki, east of Kyōto, has been a kiln site for centuries, originally making utilitarian pieces such as storage jars and mortars. When the tea ceremony gained popularity in the sixteenth century, Shigaraki ceramicists were quick to adapt to the tea masters’ demands for rustic but engaging vessels, such as this deceptively simple water jar.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Vessel
- Formatted Medium
- Buff stoneware with ash glaze, lacquer lid; Shigaraki ware
- Locations
- Place made: Japan
- Period
- Edo Period
- Dimensions
- 6 x 6 1/2 in. (15.2 x 16.5 cm)
- Departments
- Asian Art
- Accession Number
- 84.196.18a-b
- Credit Line
- Gift of Dr. and Mrs. John P. Lyden
- Exhibitions
- Arts of Japan
- Rights Statement
- No known copyright restrictions
- Museum Location
- Asian Galleries, Arts of Japan, 2nd floor
Have a concern, a correction, or something to add?
