Straw ash glaze gold dust bag water jar by Kosai Miyagawa

Height: 13.5cm Width: 18.0cm

A conversation with Kosai Miyagawa

The "Wara Ash Glazed Gold Sand Bag Water Jar by Miyagawa Kosai" is a work that beautifully combines tradition and modernity, blending in with the beautiful space of a Japanese-style room while also shining an elegant glow in modern interiors. This water jar is not limited to its intended use and can be used in a wide range of ways, and while it is practical, it also has value as a work of art.

Symbolism of the gold dust bag design

The "gold dust bag" depicted in the work is known as an auspicious motif that brings good fortune, and symbolizes a drawstring bag used to store treasures and spices. The gold dust bag is also called a "kinbukuro" (gold pouch) and is imbued with the wish to be blessed with wealth and fortune. Since ancient times, it has been believed that drawstring bags bring good fortune to their owners, and applying this motif to tea utensils and crafts has been thought to have the power to bring good fortune into everyday life.

The Technique and Appeal of Straw Ash Glaze

"Wara-hai glaze" is a traditional technique essential to the works of the Miyagawa Kosai family, and is one of the most important glazes that has been handed down through generations of the Miyagawa Kosai family. Straw-hai glaze is made from ash obtained by burning straw, and is characterized by a soft, bluish, warm finish. This glaze gives the vessels a milky white, soft luster, and creates a plump, elegant texture. This unique texture is a particularly highly valued aspect of Makuzu ware, and is what sets it apart from other Kyoto ware glazes.

The distinctive color of straw ash glaze changes subtly depending on the clay used and firing conditions. Sometimes it shows a warm reddish hue, and other times it has a cool bluish-white hue, and these hues give the piece a rich expression. The straw ash glaze technique is said to have been used by Nonomura Ninsei, the founder of Kyoto ware, but the Miyagawa Kosai family further refined the technique and developed it into a unique style that has become synonymous with Makuzu ware.

The history and influence of Kenzan copies

"Kenzan copies" are works that copy the style of Ogata Kenzan, a master of Kyoto ware who was active during the Edo period. Kenzan, along with his brother Ogata Korin, incorporated the gorgeous patterns of the Rinpa school into Kyoto ware, and are known for their particularly bold and free-spirited style. The worldview that Kenzan built up is a harmony of refined designs that eliminate waste and skillful use of color, and has become widely loved around the world. Influenced by his brother Korin, Kenzan incorporated gorgeous yet simple designs into Kyoto ware, and plum blossom patterns in particular became an important motif in Kenzan's works.

This "Kenzan copy" technique, along with the "Ninsei copy" which imitates the style of Nonomura Ninsei, holds an important position in the Miyagawa Kosai family. Kenzan's style played an important role in the history of Kyoyaki, and its influence was passed on to famous ceramic artists such as Eiraku Zengoro and Miura Chikusen. Kenzan copies are not mere imitations; they inherit Kenzan's techniques while incorporating new creativity that is in tune with modern sensibilities, which is one of the attractions of Kenzan ware.

The history and influence of the Miyagawa Kosai family

The Miyagawa Kosai family is a distinguished Kyoto ware family that has been around since the early Edo period, with a history spanning approximately 330 years. The family's origins date back to when the first generation Yukan moved from Omi Province (present-day Shiga Prefecture) to Kyoto and began trading pottery in front of the Chion-in Temple. The Miyagawa family later became known for "Makuzu ware" among other Kyoto ware, setting up a kiln in Makuzugahara, Higashiyama, and developing their own unique techniques.

Currently, the Miyagawa Kosai family is in its seventh generation, and their works are highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad. In particular, their pottery is known worldwide, with their works being housed in many international art museums and cultural institutions, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum (London) and the Permanent Mission of Japan to UNESCO (Paris). This piece preserves the traditions and techniques of Kyoto ware while harmonizing with modern interiors and lifestyles. The auspicious motif of the gold dust bag and the soft texture of the straw ash glaze are highly regarded as a work of art that adds color to everyday life, with the hope that it will bring wealth and good fortune to the user. This water jar is the culmination of the Miyagawa Kosai family's long history and techniques, and its presence goes beyond the boundaries of tea ceremony and interior design, making it an item that enriches daily life.