Ceramics
-
Tea Bowl, Named “Furisode (Swinging Sleeves)”
Mino ware, Shino style, Azuchi-Momoyama–Edo period, 16th–17th centuryJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 13
March 10, 2026 (Tue) - May 31, 2026 (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 | Tea Bowl, Named “Furisode (Swinging Sleeves)” | Mino ware, Shino style | Azuchi-Momoyama–Edo period, 16th–17th century | G-5749 | |||
| Highlight | Tray in the Shape of a Stylized Sandbank | Mino ware, Oribe style | Edo period, 17th century | Gift of Mr. Mino Susumu, G-5091 | |||
| Water Jar in the Shape of 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 | |||
| Stacked Food Boxes with Camellias, Pines, Bamboo, and a Blooming Plum Tree | Kyoto ware | Edo period, 18th century | G-41 | ||||
| Highlight | Dishes Imitating Tanzaku Poetry Papers | By Kenzan (1663–1743) | Edo period, 1743 | G-5803 | |||
| Important Cultural Property | Square Dish with a Chinese Poet Watching Seagulls | By Ogata Kōrin (1658–1716) and Ogata Shinsei (1663–1743) | Edo period, 18th century | G-32 | |||
| Highlight | Bowl with Cherry Trees | By Nin'nami Dōhachi (1783–1855) | Edo period, 19th century | G-5797 | |||
| Large Bowl with a Tiger and Bamboo | Imari ware | Edo period, 17th century | Gift of Mr. Sakamoto Katsuji, G-5886 | ||||
| Highlight | Dishes with Cherry Trees | Nabeshima ware | Edo period, 18th century | G-826 |