Excavated from Tennoji Sutra Mound, Iizaka-cho, Fukushima City
12th century
Height 28.0cm, Diameter 16.5cm, Body diameter 31.8-32.4cm, Bottom diameter 11.5cm
Tennoji Temple
A number of black vases similar to those found in Suzu have been discovered in sutra mounds in the Tohoku region. This is one such example, discovered in the Meiji period (1868-1912) in a sutra mound on the hill behind Tennoji Temple, together with a ceramic sutra case with the inscription “Jouan 1 (1171). It was only a few years ago that it was discovered that this piece was fired in the Bishamondaira ancient kiln on the hill behind Iizaka High School, which is located nearby. The clay is gray and the surface is blackish brown with a white natural glaze covering the shoulder and a part of the body. The vessel is thick and rough, with brushwork on the surface. This jar is valuable as a reference material for the Iizaka kilns of the latter half of the 12th century, as it has a short, out-turned neck and strong shoulders.
