Ceramics
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Large Dish with a Snowy Landscape, Nabeshima ware, Previously owned by Shiobara Matasaku, Edo period, 18th century
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 13
November 9, 2021 (Tue) - January 30, 2022 (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.
Rooms 13 will be closed from December 23 to December 25, 2021 due to the maintenance.
| 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 | ||||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Bowl with a Wagtail | Mino ware, gray-Shino type | Azuchi-Momoyama–Edo period, 16th–17th century | G-5730 | ||
| Water Jar in the Shape of a Bag for Gold Dust | Takatori ware | Edo period, 17th century | G-5779 | ||||
| Stacked Boxes with Camellias, Pines, Bamboo, and Plum Trees | Kyoto ware | Edo period, 18th century | G-41 | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Jar for Tea Leaves with the Moon and Plum Blossoms | Studio of Ninsei | Edo period, 17th century | G-40 | ||
| Sake Pitcher with Birds and Flowers | Imari ware | Edo period, 17th century | G-5877 | ||||
| Large Dish with Flowers, Porcelain with overglaze enamel | Imari ware | Edo period, 18th century | Gift of Dr. Yokogawa Tamisuke, G-1059 | ||||
| Highlight | Large Dish with a Snowy Landscape | Nabeshima ware, Previously owned by Shiobara Matasaku | Edo period, 18th century | G-5295 |