Handwarmer with design of chrysanthemums and flowing water

Maker(s)
Artist: Ogata Ihachi (Kyoto Kenzan II) (active 1720-1760)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, mid-18th century
Medium
Pink clay with black lead glaze; white slip, enamels, and iron pigment under transparent lead glaze; brass rim
Dimensions
H x Diam: 26.6 × 22.7 cm (10 1/2 × 8 15/16 in)
Geography
Japan, Kyoto prefecture, Kyoto
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1905.290
On View Location
Freer Gallery 06: Rinpa: Creativity Across Time and Space
Classification(s)
Ceramic
Type

Hand warmer (teaburi)

Keywords
Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan, river
Provenance

To 1905
H.R. Yamamoto, to 1905 [1]

From 1905 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from H.R. Yamamoto in 1905 [2]

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

Notes:

[1] See Original Pottery List, L. 1438, 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)

H. R. Yamamoto (C.L. Freer source)
Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919

Label

The shape of this piece indicates use as a handwarmer, or te-aburi; the vessel would be filled with ash as a bed for live charcoal embers. The decoration of chrysanthemums and water is intended to evoke a Chinese legend: long life awaits one who drinks from a stream fed by chrysanthemum dew. This was celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth month in a ceremony called choyo, when guests admired chrysanthemums, exchanged cups of wine, and composed poetry.

Published References
  • Don Pilcher. Looking at Kenzan., September 2002. p. 62.
  • Richard L. Wilson. The Potter's Brush: The Kenzan Style in Japanese Ceramics. Exh. cat. Washington. cat. 59, p. 143.
  • Ceramics of Kenzan (1663-1743). Exh. cat. Tokyo. p. 146.
  • Louise Allison Cort. The Kenzan Style in Japanese Ceramics. Watertown, Massachusetts, Autumn 2002. p. 170.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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