Famous item
Accessories
Outer box with black lacquered lock and inscription, written by Nagata Shingetsu
Provenance
Otsu Yashiki family—Kashu family (Keio 4)—Fujita family (Meiji period)
Record
Fujita Family Tools Catalog, Honya Ryoun’s Kushinroku, Kikunoya Hikojiro’s Kansou Zasshi, Yamazumi Rikizo’s Discussion, Matsuyama Seikyu’s Tsurezure no Tomo, Taisho Meiki Kanko
Owner: Osaka Fujita Museum of Art
Dimensions
Height: 6.6–7.0 cm, Mouth diameter: 13.6–13.9 cm, Foot diameter: 5.7 cm, Same height: 0.9 cm, Weight: 298 g
The name “Otsu” was given by the Yashiki family of Otsu, who owned it, and it has been renowned as the finest persimmon-shaped vessel since ancient times.
In persimmon ware, the shape is particularly important, and this piece clearly shows the typical characteristics of persimmon ware with two distinct tiers at the waist. The clay is a rich tea-brown color, with fine, vivid veins, and the rim features sharp, well-defined cuts. The glaze is thin and slightly worn, with uneven beads of glaze appearing both inside and outside, forming a single line on the front.The glaze has a rough texture, deepening the austere and subdued charm. The rim is wide, with three distinct wheel marks. The tea pool stands out well, with six or so eyes. The foot is thin and does not show the clay, with beautiful bead-like patterns resembling moss on both the inside and outside. The inside of the foot is rounded and scooped out, with a sharp, helmet-like edge.The reddish-brown glaze with a subtle bead-like texture harmonizes with the crisp, clean lines of the form, fully revealing the unique charm of this austere piece.
