Ceramics
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Large Deep Bowl with Birds and Flowers, Porcelain with overglaze enamel
Imari ware, Kakiemon type, Edo period, 17th century (Important Cultural Property)Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 13
August 17, 2021 (Tue) - November 7, 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 | Large Jar, Stoneware with natural ash glaze | Tokoname ware | Heian period, 12th century | Private collection | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Jar with Peony Vines | Seto ware | Kamakura period, 14th century | G-344 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Large Jar with Comma Shapes | Suzu ware | Heian period, 12th century | Lent by the Agency for Cultural Affairs | ||
| Tea Bowl, Named “Hashihime (Bridge Maiden)” | Mino ware, Shino type | Azuchi-Momoyama–Edo period, 16th–17th century | Gift of Mr. Matsunaga Yasuzaemon, G-4830 | ||||
| Large Bowl with Flowering Plants, Stoneware with underglaze iron oxide | Karatsu ware | Edo period, 17th century | G-5778 | ||||
| Highlight | Tea Bowl with Motifs from the “Autumn Excursion” Chapter of "The Tale of Genji", Stoneware with overglaze enamel | Studio of Ninsei | Edo period, 17th century | Gift of Ms. Yamamoto Tomiko and Mr. Yamamoto Kenji, G-5750 | |||
| Highlight | Important Art Object | Footed Tray with a Flying Phoenix, Porcelain with overglaze enamel | By Okuda Eisen (1753–1811) | Edo period, 18th–19th century | Gift of Mr. Ōkōchi Masatoshi, G-4996 | ||
| 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 | Large Deep Bowl with Birds and Flowers, Porcelain with overglaze enamel | Imari ware, Kakiemon type | Edo period, 17th century | G-5101 | ||
| 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 |