17-color cloisonné openwork flat water jar by Miyagawa Kosai

Height: 13.5cm Width: 21.0cm

Colored enamel openwork flat water jar by Miyagawa Kosai

The "Colored Shippo Openwork Flat Water Jar" is a masterpiece of Shinkuzu ware by Miyagawa Kosai. It is a work of superb craftsmanship with a white base glaze and beautifully expressing Shippo pattern (flower wreath pattern). Shippo pattern is known as an auspicious pattern that has been passed down in Japan and the Orient since ancient times, and the infinitely connected circles symbolize harmony and prosperity. This pattern is expressed with delicate openwork, and the water jar has a clear beauty and a solid presence. The characteristics of this work are the fineness of the coloring and careful handwork. The outline of the Shippo pattern is drawn in detail, and colorful glazes are carefully applied. The pattern has an exotic atmosphere reminiscent of arabesques along with the elegance of Kyoto, and invites the viewer to another world. It is a piece that is truly impressive in its decorativeness while maintaining the beauty of a tea ceremony utensil.

The role of the water jar in the tea ceremony

This flat water jar is especially useful for summer tea ceremonies. At tea ceremonies, a large water jar with a wide mouth called a flat water jar is used in the summer. This is a device to provide a sense of coolness by allowing guests to see the surface of the water, allowing them to enjoy the coolness visually as well. The "Iroe Shippo Openwork Flat Water Jar" not only has a gorgeous design, but also enhances the sense of coolness of the brimming water surface when the lid is opened. The light that shines through the delicate openwork of the Shippo pattern is reflected on the water's surface, bringing a cool atmosphere to the entire tea room. It is reminiscent of places filled with water such as rivers and oceans, and will give you a calm sense of security and coolness in your mind.

The techniques and history of Makuzu ware

In this way, the "Iroe Shippou Openwork Flat Water Jar" is a work that embodies the best of Makkuzu ware techniques. Makkuzu ware has made full use of a variety of techniques, including Kyoto ware overpainting techniques such as Ninsei and Kenzan copies, as well as blue and white porcelain, iron painting, Kouchi, and gold lining. As a result, Makkuzu ware has been able to create new expressions with each era while retaining the charm of traditional Kyoto ware. This flat water jar is also a work made faithfully to these traditional techniques, and you can feel the beauty in every detail. Makkuzu ware has a history of over 330 years, beginning with the Miyagawa family's start of pottery in Kyoto around 1680. From the mid-Edo period, they worked on tea ceremony utensils and everyday pottery, and their reputation grew with the development of the tea ceremony. In particular, the fourth generation Eiyo Kosai, who lived in the early Showa period, studied the tea ceremony himself and achieved success as a tea ceremony ceramics artist. This "Iroe Shippou Openwork Flat Water Jar" is a piece that reflects the techniques and aesthetic sense accumulated over such a long history.

The Spirit and Future of Miyagawa Kosai

The Miyagawa Kosai family continues to preserve tradition while creating pottery that meets the demands of the times. Their works are highly acclaimed both in Japan and overseas, and are supported by ceramic art lovers from all over the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and China. The appeal of Makuzu ware lies in its splendor and elegance, but at the same time, it is highly practical and has become an indispensable part of the world of tea ceremony. The "Iroe Shippo Openwork Flat Water Jar" will be highly regarded as a modern tea utensil for its graceful shape and intricate decoration. The delicacy of the Shippo pattern and the unique light effects created by the openwork carving add new aesthetic value to the tea room, further enhancing the refreshing feeling of summer tea ceremonies. The works created by Miyagawa Kosai will continue to be loved by the world of tea ceremony and ceramic art lovers, as they combine tradition and innovation.