Akagama, Important Cultural Property
Accessories
Box, lacquered with gold powder lettering, inscription by Honami Kouetsu
Same lid, inscription by the same hand
Provenance
Himeji, Sakai family—Hatakeyama Sokuo
Record
Tea Ceremony Miscellany, by Kazura Kusama; Meibutsu Zui, Himeji Marquis’s Bidding, Himeji Sakai Warehouse Ledger, Tokyo Tea Ceremony Record, Vol. 3, Part 1, Taisho Meiki Kan.
Dimensions
Height: 8.9 cm; Diameter: 11.0-11.9 cm; Foot diameter: 4.2 cm; Foot height: 1.0 cm; Weight: 450 g
Owner
Tokyo, Hatakeyama Memorial Museum
The “Yukihira no Kōetsu” inscription is a depiction of snow accumulating on a peak, and the gold-powdered characters on the box are also in Kōetsu’s handwriting, making it a valuable piece.
The round shape, resembling an iron bowl held in the mouth, clearly shows Kōetsu’s distinctive style. However, the carved grooves inside the foot and the large crack in the body add sharpness and intensity to the gentle form, evoking the character of Kōetsu himself. The interior is deep and gives an impression of infinite breadth.
The red base is covered with a white glaze, which pools deeply at the high foot rim. The foot is also glazed, revealing the clay beneath, creating a striking contrast. The white glaze from the rim to the body, interspersed with large cracks, forms a bold pattern, further enhancing the piece’s strength. Though slightly small in size, its powerful presence makes it a truly impressive work.
