Large Japanese Antique Tokoname Tsubo Stoneware Floor Jar

An antique Japanese stoneware storage jar, known as tsubo from Shigaraki kiln, circa 17th-18th century (early Edo possibly Momoyama period)....

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...

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...

A pinkish stoneware jar with broad shoulder and slightly tapered body from Chinese East Zhou Dynasty (771-256BC). The surface of the jar was nearly thorou...

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...

A Japanese stoneware tsubo (storage jar) circa 19th century (Meiji period), likely made in one of the Shigaraki or Echizen kilns. The jar has a thick robust body, and a short-neck ri...

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 ...

An absolutely stunning Tamba (Tanba) ware Japanese pottery vase/jar/pot - produced sometime during the Edo Period (1603-1867). Tamba-yaki ware is a type of Japanese pottery and ceram...

An absolutely stunning Bizen ware stoneware vase/tsubo jar/vessel - produced sometime during the mid to late Edo period (1603-1867). Bizen yaki ware is a ty...

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...

A large heavily glazed stoneware saki jar or pot. This traditional Japanese piece has wonderful colors and a beautiful shape, 19th century.  

These antique Awaji jars have a deep burgundy color with a beautiful translucence created by such high temperatures during firing, that it borders on stoneware. The interior brush ma...