Water Jar in the Shape of a Bag for Gold Dust 

The host of a tea gathering would have used this ceramic jar to hold water for rinsing tea bowls and refilling the kettle. The jar comes from the Takatori kilns in northern Kyushu, which were established by Korean potters about 400 years ago. The kilns produced refined tea utensils and other pottery for the Kuroda, the samurai lords who ruled this area of Japan.

Utensils for tea gatherings are sometimes designed to resemble other unrelated objects. This water jar was shaped to resemble a cloth bag for storing gold dust. It was crafted at the Takatori kilns in southern Japan, which were established by Korean potters approximately 400 years ago.

Cultural property designation

Quantity

Artist

Takatori ware

Period/Century

Edo period, 17th century

Country/Origin

Excavation site

Material

Stoneware with yellow glaze

Size

Inscriptions

Donor

Collection reference no.

G-5779

Genre

Ceramics

Category

Applied arts > Performing arts > Tea ceremony implements