Freshwater jar in the shape of a bucket with Mishima inlay

Water-jar, deep quadrilateral; two-loop handles. Lacquer cover. Mishima technique.
Clay: medium, fired chocolate brown; textile pattern impressed on base.
Glaze: glossy, celadon tone over gray.
Decoration: chrysanthemum borders about and below cranes flying among clouds.

Historical period(s)
Edo period, 19th century
Medium
Stoneware with white slip inlay under celadon glaze; lacquered wooden lid
Style
Kyoto ware
Dimensions
H x W x D: 16.6 x 14.3 x 14.3 cm (6 9/16 x 5 5/8 x 5 5/8 in)
Geography
Japan, Kyoto prefecture, Kyoto
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1899.6a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Tea ceremony water jar (mizusashi)

Keywords
chrysanthemum, crane, Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan, Kyoto ware, stoneware, water, white slip, Yatsushiro ware
Provenance

To 1899
Yamanaka & Company, New York to 1899 [1]

From 1899 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Yamanaka & Company in 1899 [2]

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

Notes:

[1] Undated folder sheet note. See Original Pottery List, L. 84, 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)

Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919
Yamanaka and Co. (C.L. Freer source) 1917-1965

Description

Water-jar, deep quadrilateral; two-loop handles. Lacquer cover. Mishima technique.
Clay: medium, fired chocolate brown; textile pattern impressed on base.
Glaze: glossy, celadon tone over gray.
Decoration: chrysanthemum borders about and below cranes flying among clouds.

Label

The densely impressed stamps, well filled with slip, show freshly under a cool celadon glaze on this water-jar that would be pleasant for summer use.  The stamps are related to Korean models, but they are applied playfully--no two sides of the jar are exactly alike in design.  The rustic motif is completed by the shape of the jar, made to resemble a square wooden bucket with rope handles.

Published References
  • Warren E. Cox. The Book of Pottery and Porcelain. 2 vols., New York. vol. 1: p. 241, pl. 74.
  • Louise Allison Cort. Korean Influences in Japanese Ceramics. vol. 15, no. 5 Hong Kong, May 1984. p. 23.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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