Ocher glaze thinly covers the sandy clay of this 17th century Tsubo, the color pooling in ringlets left by the drag of the artisans fingers as he turned it on the wheel. Excellent for use in the Japanese tea ceremony or for a flower display. Two tie lugs on the side form the ears in the box title Edo Shoki Ko Seto Futamimi Tsubo (Early Edo Tsubo with two ears). It is 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter, roughly the same height. There are losses to the glaze on one side clearly showing the great age, and a crack from a hit near one ear.
This is from the collection of a household formerly of samurai status, which, unlike many families, maintained its power over the centuries, into the modern age. The collection encompassed a great many antique and early modern Tea related works, Bronzes, porcelains and Lacquer wares. Without a successor in the current age, the collection was dispersed this Spring.
