Vase

Collection NumberA001944
TitleVase
DateNara period, 8th century.
Artist, Kiln, Workshop陶邑窯 Sue mura ware
Name of prefectures & citiesJapan
Description of works【Reproducing in ceramic form even the metal vessels essential to Buddhist practices】
Buddhism first came to Japan from the Korean Peninsula in 538 CE. It gradually spread across Japan, becoming deeply rooted during the end of the sixth and the seventh century CE. In the latter half of the eighth century, following the issuance of the "Kokubunji Konryu no Mikotonori" (Imperial Edict for the Construction of State Temples), in 741 CE, many kokubunji (state temples) and kokubun-niji (state nunneries) were constructed.
Many Buddhist utensils are made of metal. To supplement the shortage of metal utensils resulting from the spread of Buddhism throughout Japan, sue ware (stoneware) versions were produced because of sue ware’s high formability. This bottle is an example of pottery modeled after a metal vessel. It would have been used as a utensil for offering water at Buddhist altars, or for storing water used for washing the priests’ mouths, hands, and feet.

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