Metalwork: Tea Kettles
-
Octagonal Tea Kettle, Hailstone texturing, Kyoto ware, Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th - 17th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 13
February 18, 2014 (Tue) - May 18, 2014 (Sun)In Japan, the tea kettle is a prominent element in the art of the tea ceremony, which has uniquely evolved in Japan. Iron, as a sturdy material, has been used for boiling water since ancient times. In the tea ceremony, further to this basic function, an aesthetic sense is recognized in the casting surfaces and color tones of iron. In addition, the creativity of clients and metal casters is reflected in molding and pattern expressions suitable for specific occasions. In this exhibition, major varieties of tea kettles, such as Ashiya, Tenmyo and Kyoto wares, are introduced in a way that highlights the beauty of their distinctive molding and Japanese patterns.
Current exhibit includes:
Tea Kettle, Crow design; known as "Nure garasu", Ashiya ware, Shinnari type, Muromachi period, 15th - 16th century
Tea Kettle with Thick Rim, Tenmyo ware, Muromachi period, 16th century
Octagonal Tea Kettle, Hailstone texturing, Kyoto ware, Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th - 17th century