Ceramics
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Large Dish with Cherry Blossoms and Eagles, Imari ware, Edo period, 18th century (Gift of Mr. Kase Reiji)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 13
March 12, 2024 (Tue) - June 2, 2024 (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 | ||
| Important Cultural Property | Wide-Mouthed Jar with Peony Vines | Seto ware | Kamakura period, 14th century | G-344 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Large Jar with "Tomoe" Motifs | Suzu ware | Heian period, 12th century | Lent by the Agency for Cultural Affairs | ||
| Tea Bowl, Named “Hashihime (Princess of the Bridge)” | Mino ware, Shino style | Azuchi-Momoyama–Edo period, 16th–17th century | Gift of Mr. Matsunaga Yasuzaemon, G-4830 | ||||
| Water Jar Shaped Like a Bag for Gold Dust | Takatori ware | Edo period, 17th century | G-5779 | ||||
| Important Cultural Property | Water Jar with Peonies | Studio of Ninsei | Edo period, 17th century | G-303 | |||
| Important Cultural Property | Portable Dining Set with Dragons and Waves | By Aoki Mokubei (1767–1833) | Edo period, 19th century | Gift of Mr. Kasagi Tōru, G-5293 | |||
| Highlight | Bowl with Cherry Trees | By Ninnami Dōhachi (1783–1855) | Edo period, 19th century | G-5797 | |||
| Tea Bowl with Waves and a Crescent Moon | Studio of Ninsei | Edo period, 17th century | G-23 | ||||
| Highlight | Lidded Bowl with a Lion-Shaped Knob and Peonies | Imari ware | Edo period, 17th century | G-5297 | |||
| Water Jar with a Lotus | Imari ware | Edo period, 17th century | G-5854 | ||||
| Highlight | Set of Dishes with Weeping Cherry Trees | Nabeshima ware | Edo period, 18th century | Gift of Mr. Yoneda Minoru and Ms. Yoneda Chieko, G-5888 | |||
| Dish with "Karahana" Flowers | Nabeshima ware | Edo period, 17th–18th century | G-5796 |