Vase in the shape known as “traveler’s pillow”

Vase of shape known as “traveling pillow” (tabimakura [Jpn]), large cylindrical. Two restorations in lip. Ivory cover does not belong to piece.
Clay: dense, coarse, with feldspar granules, string-cut foot.
Glaze: thin, brilliant gray, splashed with olive-brown, in three places, on rim at “front.”
Inscription on back of body: in lacquer, name “Juro jiku [Jpn]” and cipher of inscriber.

Historical period(s)
Edo period, 17th century
Medium
Stoneware with clear colorless glaze and iron glaze; lacquer inscription
Style
Shigaraki ware
Dimensions
H x Diam: 15 × 9.2 cm (5 15/16 × 3 5/8 in)
Geography
Japan, Shiga prefecture, Shigaraki
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1901.97a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Vase

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

1901
Rufus E. Moore, 1901 [1]

From 1901 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Rufus E. Moore in 1901 [2]

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

Notes:

[1] See Original Pottery List, 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)

Rufus E. Moore (C.L. Freer source) 1840-1918
Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919

Description

Vase of shape known as "traveling pillow" (tabimakura [Jpn]), large cylindrical. Two restorations in lip. Ivory cover does not belong to piece.
Clay: dense, coarse, with feldspar granules, string-cut foot.
Glaze: thin, brilliant gray, splashed with olive-brown, in three places, on rim at "front."
Inscription on back of body: in lacquer, name "Juro jiku [Jpn]" and cipher of inscriber.

Inscription(s)

Inscription on back of body: in lacquer, name "Juro jiku [Jpn]" and cipher of inscriber.

Label

The Shigaraki kilns were known for storage jars made of unglazed reddish clay with a gritty texture. In the late sixteenth century Shigaraki potters began using this clay to make tea utensils. This cylindrical vase is a popular Shigaraki vase form known as "traveler's pillow." Its overall clear glaze and dabs of brown glaze suggests that it is a later work. It bears an inscription written in lacquer by a tea master giving the name "Jurojin's sleeve" to the vase.

Published References
  • Louise Allison Cort, Noriko Ohtsuki. Miraculous Clay : Three Ceramic Landscapes Showcasing Shigaraki ware (奇跡の土: 信楽焼をめぐる三つの景色). Exh. cat. Koka-city, Shiga, Japan, October 3, 2020. p. 49, fig. 48.
  • Daniel Rhodes. Clay and Glazes for the Potter. Arts and Crafts Series New York. pp. 144-145.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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