Excavated from Hinoki Kiln, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
15th century
Height: 27.0 cm, Diameter of upper cup: 8.4 cm, Diameter of bottom: 15.0 cm
　This is a typical Muromachi style candlestick. It is made of grayish-white, rather coarse clay and water-ground. The inside of the base is closed from the center of the foot where the sunken line is located. All candlesticks of this style are characterized by their ash glaze. There are more than 20 known kiln sites that produce this type of candlestick. Since candlesticks were originally used only at shrines, temples, and courts since the Nara period (710-794) because candles were precious, but in the Muromachi period (1333-1573), candlesticks were used as part of the decorations in shoin-style residences, and the demand for ceramic candlesticks gradually increased. The increase in the number of candlesticks in Seto is interesting as an indication of this trend.
