Ceramics
-
Incense Burner in the Shape of an Elephant, Porcelain with overglaze enamel
Imari Ware, Kakiemon type, Edo period, 17th–18th centuryJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 13
May 11, 2021 (Tue) - August 15, 2021 (Sun)Early Japanese ceramics were heavily influenced by techniques and processes originating in China and Korea. Over time, a more diverse range of forms and styles came to be embraced in Japan. This increased diversity was driven by economic and political factors, including foreign trade and the changing preferences of disparate social classes.
Throughout Japanese history, people of different social classes—emperors, nobles, samurai, and townspeople like merchants—held political or economic power at different times. Potters responded by creating regionally distinct ceramics that met the needs and tastes of each set of clientele.
This gallery traces the history of Japanese ceramics from around the 12th century onwards, beginning with storage jars for daily use, which highlight the unique colors and textures of local clays. It continues with tea bowls and other utensils for the tea ceremony, a practice that greatly influenced ceramic production. The ceramic traditions of Kyoto are then presented, followed by porcelain made in Arita, and other works from regional kilns.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Jar with Peony Vines | Seto ware | Kamakura period, 14th century | G-344 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Water Jar with a Straight Lip, Named "Shiba no Iori" | Shigaraki ware | Azuchi-Momoyama–Edo period, 16th–17th century | Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige, G-5307 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Bowl with a Wagtail | Mino ware, gray Shino type | Azuchi-Momoyama–Edo period, 16th–17th century | G-5730 | ||
| Bowl with an Upturned Rim | Bizen ware | Edo period, 17th century | G-5775 | ||||
| Bowl in the Shape of a Stylized Sandbank with a Handle | Mino ware, Oribe type | Edo period, 17th century | Gift of Mr. Mino Susumu, G-5091 | ||||
| Tea Bowl with Waves and a Crescent Moon, Stoneware with overglaze enamel | Studio of Ninsei | Edo period, 17th century | G-23 | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Water Jar with Peonies, Stoneware with overglaze enamel | By Ninsei | Edo period, 17th century | G-303 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Square Dish with a Chinese Figure Watching Seagulls, Stoneware with underglaze iron oxide | By Ogata Kōrin (1658–1716) and Kenzan (1663–1743) | Edo period, 18th century | G-32 | ||
| Tea Bowl, Named "Kanoko Madara (Fawn Speckles)" | By Ichinyū (1640–96); Raku ware, black Raku type | Edo period, 17th century | Gift of Mr. Hirota Matsushige, G-5340 | ||||
| Tea Bowls for the New Year | By Tannyū (1795–1854); Raku ware, red Raku type | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke, G-1098 | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Portable Dining Set with Dragons and Waves, Porcelain with underglaze blue | By Aoki Mokubei (1767–1833) | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Mr. Kasagi Tōru, G-5293 | ||
| Large Bowl with a Tiger and Bamboo, Porcelain with underglaze blue | Imari ware | Edo period, 17th century | Gift of Mr. Sakamoto Katsuji, G-5886 | ||||
| Large Dish with Flowers, Porcelain with overglaze enamel | Imari ware | Edo period, 18th century | Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke, G-1059 | ||||
| Incense Burner in the Shape of an Elephant, Porcelain with overglaze enamel | Imari Ware, Kakiemon type | Edo period, 17th–18th century | G-188 |