Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 20

Japanese Ceramic Seto Tea Leaf Tsubo Jar Edo Period

About the Item

A Japanese glazed ceramic jar with a lacquered wood lid circa 19th century of late Edo to early Meiji Period. The stoneware tsubo was used as a storage vessel for produce such as tea leaves. It was made in Seto, one of the six ancient kilns in Japan, or in the style of seto-ware. Of classic form that was widely popular in China and Japan, the jar is well proportioned with a voluminous body with broad shoulder, a short straight neck and a large opening. The surface was covered entirely in a glossy dark-brown iron glaze with a subtle tint of green. Some kiln debris and glaze bursts were seen scattered on the shoulder, adding a wabi-sabi charm to an otherwise austere piece. Nine motifs of small jars, grouped in three in each composition, graced the surface. They were incised and filled with white slip glaze that was fired to fine crackles. The design was either a simple carved outline with empty spaces, or the entire silouette was infilled with the white glaze. Together, they form a contrasting ying and yang pattern. The symbols of empty and full jars carry a profound philosophical message that beckons the viewer to ponder about life. A black lacquered wood lid with a top-loop handle accompanies the jar, although it is hard to tell if it is original.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)Diameter: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
  • Style:
    Edo (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Overall fine condition, a small historical chip under the rim. Lacquer lid shows wears and liquid stains on top, and a few tiny chips around the rim where it contacts the jar. All shown in detail photos.
  • Seller Location:
    Atlanta, GA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU945041127882

More From This Seller

View All
Massive Ceramic Jar Tsubo by Japanese Potter Tsujimura Yui
By Tsujimura Yui
Located in Atlanta, GA
A massive and magnificent ceramic Tsubo jar by Japanese potter Tsujimura Yui (1975-). Inspired by the techniques and aesthetics of the early medieval Sue ware, the artist hand builds an impressive voluminous oviform, irregular by intention, from a combination clay from both Shigaraki and Iga, coarse by nature and rich in feldspar. Fired on their sides horizontally, the surface of the thick wall tsubo is covered with streaks and drips of natural ash glazes in shades of green and blue, forming an abstract and mesmerizing pattern that resembles geothermal earth activity. Additional ashes are blown during the firing to accentuate the textures. Most recognizably, there are many circular marks scattered on the surface of his archaic looking vessels. That is resulted from using stacked tea bowls to prevent the conjoining of the vessels. After the firing, the stacked vessels are chipped away, leaving behind those circular impression, as well as deep pools of glaze which gather where they were placed. Born in 1975, Tsujimura Yui is the first son of the contemporary ceramic artist Tsujimura Shiro...
Category

Early 2000s Japanese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Large Japanese Antique Shigaraki Tsubo Jar
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique Japanese stoneware storage jar, known as tsubo from Shigaraki kiln, circa 17th-18th century (early Edo possibly Momoyama period)....
Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Japonisme Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Large Contemporary Ceramic Tsubo Jar by Kai Tsujimura
Located in Atlanta, GA
A massive stoneware tsubo floor jar created by Japanese contemporary ceramic artist Kai Tsujimura (1976-). The heavy jar with its impressive volume was made in the tradition of Iga ware with local coarse sandy clay that turned reddish after the firing. It took its shape from heavy medieval storage jars with a wide-open mouth. For a nearly identical form, see an Echizen jar from Heian period (794–1185) in the collection of MET (Accession Number: 1977.261). The surface showcases scattered white crystalized feldspars and a green vitrified ash glaze cascade down the body (known as biidoro in Japanese - after the Portuguese word for glass vidoro). These is a globular shape impressed on the jar. It is a signature practice of the Tsujimura potter family by stacking bowls between the pieces in the kiln during the firing, resulting in an accidental but iconic aethetic (Kai and Yui Tsujimura...
Category

2010s Japanese Organic Modern Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Japanese Echizen Ceramic Tsubo Fujita Jurouemon VIII
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese storage jar (tsubo) made in the ancient Echizen ware tradition by Fujita Jurouemon VIII. Echizen is one of the six ancient kilns in Japan, directly influenced by the Sue ware...
Category

20th Century Japanese Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Shino Chawan Tea Bowl Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese ceramic Chawan (tea bowl) of e-Shino (painted Shino) ware style circa mid-late 18th century Edo period. The classically shaped bowl features an abstract blue paint of blue grass and displays strong characters in the milky white glaze, with overall crawling and crackling effect. One of the most distinctive characteristics of Shino that is exemplified on this bowl is the small pinholes called suana, which tea masters favor (termed as yuzuhada, or citron skin). The milky-white feldspar...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Edo Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Chinese Ceramic Tea Leaf Storage Jar Song-Yuan Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stoneware pottery jar used for storage, made in southern China Fujian or Guangdong province since Song Dynasty for domestic use as well as export. They were widely exported to Japa...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Archaistic Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

You May Also Like

Japanese Antique Momoyama Edo Bizen Ware Pottery Wabi-Sabi Art Tsubo Jar Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
An absolutely stunning Bizen ware stoneware vase/jar/vessel - produced sometime during the late Momoyama period (1568-1600) / Early Edo Period (1603-1867). Bizen yaki...
Category

Antique 16th Century Japanese Edo Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Japanese Antique Muromachi Edo Wabi-Sabi Tokoname Art Pottery Jar Tsubo Pot Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
An absolutely stunning Tokoname ware stoneware vase/jar/vessel - produced sometime during the late Muromachi period (1336-1573 to early Edo Period (1603-1867). Tokoname-yaki ware is ...
Category

Antique 16th Century Japanese Edo Ceramics

Materials

Pottery, Stoneware

Chinese Bai Tea Leaf Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Rendered in a striking cool white glaze, this contemporary porcelain jar offers a modern take on a classic form. Lidded jars like these were used in tea shops in China, where tea dri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Edo Period Bizen Vase
Located in Hudson, NY
Edo period Bizen vase, late Edo period (mid-19th century) ceramic vase from Bizen, one of the six ancient kilns in Japan. Unusual undulating rim, with tradi...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Edo Period Japanese Aoki Mokubei Jar Japan Figures Trees
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description A Japanese Aoki Mokubei Jar. Edo Period. The inside base has a fish between the figures with gilt. A very powerfull piece and in our opinion most likely authentic by Aoki Mokubei (????) Mokubei AOKI (1767- July 2, 1833) was a painter and Kyo ware potter during the Edo Period . He was born in Kyoto . His childhood name was Yasoya. His Azana (alias) was Sahei. His pseudonyms included Seibei, Hyakurokusanjin, Kokikan, Teiunro, Kukurin, and Shubei. Biography Mokubei was born in 1767, in Kyoto . He studied calligraphy under Fuyo KO at a young age, showing great talent; however, when he found pottery, he opened a studio in Awataguchi, Kyoto at the age of 30 and won fame for his pottery. Five years later, he was invited by the Maeda Family of the Kaga clan, and he made efforts to revive Kaga Kutani ware. As a potter, he mainly produced green-tea sets. His pottery work is varied, including white porcelain, celadon, Akae ware (ceramic with red paintings) and dyed ceramics. As a result of his commitment to Chinese ceramics, he created a world of his own in making copies of Chinese ware...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White Glazed Tea Leaf Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Rendered in a striking white glaze, this contemporary porcelain jar offers a modern take on a Classic form. Lidded jars like these were used in tea shops in China, where tea drinking...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Minimalist Jars

Materials

Porcelain

Recently Viewed

View All