Catalog (6)

Scene of three sailing boats on a sea surrounded by mountains and a rocky shore. The two curving sides have a line of stylized brushwork. The flat base has sand and kiln grit adherence. Very good condition, with only very minor wear.

Length: 3 in.; Height: 1 in.

Acquired in Osaka, Japan in mid 1970s.

Decorated in cobalt blue with a design of chrysanthemum and bamboo, stoutly potted and glazed with a clear glaze of faintly aqua tint. Very minor glaze pitting and surface scratches, slight wood ash dusting seen mostly on the shoulder of one side, small amount of sand adhering to the foot, otherwise very good condition.

Height: 10 ¼ in.

This saucer dish, raised on a fairly narrow foot displays the “shibui” and “wabicha” aesthetics sought after by Japanese tea practitioners as well as “Mingei” collectors. The brown stoneware body was hastily brushed on the interior and underneath the dish in a rapid manner with no consideration of perfection. The white slip was applied while the piece was still wet from the potter's wheel. After drying, it was dipped in clear glaze, and on this piece, leaving a V-shaped glaze void exposing an area of dry white slip and brown body – a desirable lack of attention to detail in Japanese tea aesthetics. Where the clear glaze covers the brown body, it appears gray. The foot and base are glazed and partially rubbed off the footring, or possibly worn off through use. The dish leans somewhat when standing on its footring. A small area underneath the rim is unglazed. There is an old hairline crack about one inch long, some kiln grit on the base, good wear and well-worn patina. I purchased this piece in Kyoto in the early 1970s and it was used by my tea ceremony teacher from time to time.

Diameter: 5 ¼ in., Height: 1 3/8 in.

Glazed entirely including the foot and base with a pale greenish-grey glaze, and decorated on two sides with bold stylized calligraphic designs. Good condition except for a small chip to the mouth rim. The foot retains evidence of at least eight spurs on which it was fired and possibly a dusting of wood ash from the firing adding character and a bit of visual texture to the upper body.

Diameter: 3 ½ in.; Height: 2 ¼ in.

This jar is stoutly potted, having a tall neck and flaring body, resting on a thick grit-coated footring and slightly recessed base. It is clear glazed without decoration. Small gray and brown iron impurities in the clay freely show through the clear glaze. This is a mingei type folk craft item intended to use in the home. There are several stable hairline cracks from age, stained brown in the rim area.

Height: 3 ¾ in., Width: 4 ¾ in.

Covered entirely except for the footring in a clear glaze with a bluish tinge. Open to the base to accommodate a stemcup. Very good condition. No cracks or chips. Some sand adheres to the foot and base.

Diameter: 4 5/8 in.; Height: 3 ¼ in.