Flower shaped dishes, young pine tree design with underglaze iron brown

Collection NumberA007383
TitleFlower shaped dishes, young pine tree design with underglaze iron brown
DateMiddle Edo period, 18th century
Artist, Kiln, Workshop御菩薩池 mizorogaike kiln
Name of prefectures & citiesKyoto prefecture, Japan
Description of worksMizorogaike ware (also known as Mizoro ware) is a type of Kyo (Kyoto) ware with a history dating back to the 17th century CE. It is known that this ware was first made in Mizorogaike Village (present-day Kamigamo in Kita Ward, Kyoto City). Then the producers moved to Higashikamo in 1669, and again to Karasuma Nakadachiuri Street three years later. Because tea ceremony was getting popular, their portfolio included tea bowls, water jars, and mukozuke (small dishes) used for chaji, a formal tea event accompanied by a meal. These dishes in the shape of bellflowers were first formed into a square using a mold, and then the walls were thinned to create beautifully-curved flower petals. The outstanding skills and sophisticated creativity of Kyo ware ceramists are behind these dishes.
Much of the history of Mizoro ware is still a mystery. For example, works with the same signature stamp “Mizoro” apparently existed in the first half of the 19th century (the late Edo period) that were made by the kilns in Awataguchi (one of the Kyo ware producers), but their connection with the original Mizoro ware is not known.

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