Shigaraki Ware Mizusashi (Tea Ceremony Fresh Water Jar)

ca. 1620

1 of 5

Object Label

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.

Caption

Shigaraki Ware Mizusashi (Tea Ceremony Fresh Water Jar), ca. 1620. Buff stoneware with ash glaze, lacquer lid; Shigaraki ware, 6 x 6 1/2 in. (15.2 x 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. John P. Lyden, 84.196.18a-b. No known copyright restrictions

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Asian Art

Title

Shigaraki Ware Mizusashi (Tea Ceremony Fresh Water Jar)

Date

ca. 1620

Period

Edo Period

Geography

Place made: Japan

Medium

Buff stoneware with ash glaze, lacquer lid; Shigaraki ware

Classification

Vessel

Dimensions

6 x 6 1/2 in. (15.2 x 16.5 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Dr. and Mrs. John P. Lyden

Accession Number

84.196.18a-b

Rights

No known copyright restrictions

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