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Small Vessels Cherished by Hirota Fukkosai: Tea Caddies, Confectionary Jars, and Incense Container

  • Image of "Incense Container in Shape of Eggplant, With design in underglaze blue, Jingdezhen ware, China; Shonzui type, Ming dynasty, 17th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)"

    Incense Container in Shape of Eggplant, With design in underglaze blue, Jingdezhen ware, China; Shonzui type, Ming dynasty, 17th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 5
    August 18, 2015 (Tue) - December 23, 2015 (Wed)

    The antique art collector Hirota Matsushige (aka Fukkosai; 1897-1973) founded Kochukyo, one of Japan’s most important antique art stores. In 1972, Hirota donated approximately 500 artworks from his collection to the Tokyo National Museum. The majority of the donated works are first-class Chinese ceramics, which constitute the central part of the museum’s collection of East Asian ceramics together with the Yokogawa Collection, another similar collection.

    This exhibition shows a selection of small, adorable ceramic works - tea bowls, confectionary jars, and incense containers - especially cherished by Hirota, who was knowledgeable in Japanese tea ceremony. Items on display are accompanied with pouches, wrapping cloths, or boxes to protect them, which were made by Hirota himself.

 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
Tea Caddy, Figures under tree design in overglaze enamel, Jingdezhen ware, China, Ming dynasty, Wanli era (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Incense Container in Shape of Eggplant, With design in underglaze blue, Jingdezhen ware, China; Shonzui type, Ming dynasty, 17th century (Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige)
Exhibitions