Antique Japanese Mushiake Ware Nanban Vase
Antique Japanese Mushiake Ware Nanban Vase
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A Funamushi-gata earthen vase (a Sea Slater-shaped Vase, an insect with a broad back found along the shoreline) from the Mushiake kilns of Okayama prefecture dating from tehr 19th to early 20th century. Engraved into the bottom are three number sevens, a symbol of good fortune and alternate character for Yorokobu (joy). It is 14.5 x 9 x 25 cm (5-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 10 inches) and is in excellent condition.
The origins of Mushiake-yaki pottery are uncertain, with various theories suggesting it began around 300 years ago. This pottery tradition emerged in the Mushiake area, which was part of the domain of the Iki family, the chief retainers of the Okayama clan, who were granted 33,000 koku of land. Mushiake-yaki developed as an oniwayaki (garden kiln) under the patronage of the Iki family. The pottery shared similarities with Bizen ware, but also made works similar to the glazed wares of Takatori and other famous tea-ware regions. During the tenure of the 14th lord, Iki Tadasumi (who used the tea name Sansensai), a prominent tea master, Mushiake-yaki underwent significant transformation. Tadasumi invited renowned artisans of the time, including Kyoto’s Seifu Yohei, Raku Chōzō, and Miyagawa Kōzan (Makuzu Kōzan), to contribute their expertise. Under their influence, the pottery adopted a Kyoto-inspired style resembling the delicate thinness of Awata-yaki.
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