Provenance
Mitsui Family, Southern Kyoto
Dimensions
Height: 4.8 cm
Mouth Diameter: 4.5 cm
Body Diameter: 5.7 cm
Base Diameter: 3.5 cm
Weight: 76 g
The name “eggplant” likely refers to its resemblance to the vegetable. It features a body joint, with a seam dividing the body and lid at the midpoint. Slightly flattened with a rounded base, it sits well. Near the lid’s knob, dense iron glaze dots appear, resembling the stem of an eggplant.
Amidst the overall white glaze, a partial color change occurs, and over this, iron glaze is similarly applied in dots, forming a vigorous pattern.
The eggplant is a simple vegetable, yet in folktales, it is regarded as an auspicious vegetable with no wasted blossoms. Its shape is thus adopted for vessels, and it even lends its name.
Many Shino incense containers have indescribable shapes, yet each is intriguingly crafted, with names cleverly and whimsically applied.
Having seen numerous variations of Shino incense containers, I am deeply impressed that no two share the same form, each crafted with an elegantly refined shape.
