![Water jar with two handles with peony and scroll design,](https://turuta.jp/ceramics-story/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/ysf_03285_4-300x300.jpg)
Height 15.8 cm, mouth diameter 13.8 cm, bottom diameter 10.5 cm
This is a masterpiece representative of early Imari celadon. It is thought to have been made in the style of Tianlongji celadon or Cixian celadon ware produced in the Ming dynasty. The entire surface is covered with celadon glaze, but the floral design in relief around the shoulder is unglazed, creating a so-called biscuit-like skin. The celadon glaze applied to the entire surface is beautifully finished, indicating that early Imari celadon was not inferior. The shoulder is covered with vertical stripes, and a Japanese arabesque pattern is carved into the richly puffed hem, with a serrated pattern on top of it. This type of container seems to have been popular in the early Edo period (1603-1868), and similar wares can be found in some types of underglaze blue and white porcelain. It is one of the styles popular in the Arita area in the early Edo period.