major superstitious object
important cultural properties
Attachment
Inner box, Shunkei lacquer ware, gold-finish lettering, vermilion lacquer on the reverse side of the same lid, with calligraphy, Outer box, with calligraphy in paulownia wood, by Hirase Shiyo, calligraphy on the reverse side of the same lid, by the same calligrapher.
Conveyance
Oda Nobunaga – Shibata Katsuie – Asahina clan – Osaka Chikusaya Hirase family – Fujita family (1903)
Published in the following publications
Tsure zure no tomo (Friendship of Tsure zure) by Matsuyama Seigiri, Toyotaikoh 300th anniversary tea ceremony, Taisho Meikikikan (Taisho Meikikan) by Honya Ryoun.
Dimensions
Height: 7.1 cm, Bowl diameter: 14.4 cm, Base diameter: 4.8 cm, Height of same: 1.2 cm, Weight: 276 g
Collection
Nezu Museum, Tokyo
This piece was owned by Katsuie Shibata and is said to be the best of the Aoido series. In general, many Aoido pieces are thick and crude, but Shibata’s work is dignified, tight, and pleasantly small. The workmanship is sharp while being neat, the lathe is well set up, and the bamboo joints are well formed. The bamboo joints and the base of the potter’s wheel stand out well. It is one of the smallest Aoido pieces, but the strong wheel-thrown lines stand out and it is as dignified as an Oido piece. The glaze is a loquat color, which is rare for Aoido, and its brilliant color is one of Shibata’s major attractions. The glaze, however, is soft, as is typical of Aoido, and the handles are much stouter than those of Oido. The flanking work of the takaidai is also superb, and the kiragi is also excellent. The width of the helmet inside the takadai stands up well, and the five tatami-attached “gotoku-me” are also very tasteful. The five eyes on the prospect are truly a promise, and I would like to say that it is an outstanding bowl in terms of elegance.
