Vase in ‘Mei-ping’ style, incised peony scroll work design, ash glaze.

Collection NumberA001572
TitleVase in ‘Mei-ping’ style, incised peony scroll work design, ash glaze.
DateKamakura period, 14th century.
Artist, Kiln, Workshop瀬戸窯　Seto ware
Name of prefectures & citiesAichi prefecture, Japan
Description of works【Kaiyu and kakka— the most widely-used glaze and decoration technique — in one vase】
Of all the glazes and decorations applied to ceramics made by the Seto Kilns in medieval times — koseto (old Seto ware) — the kaiyu (ash glaze) was one of the two most widely-used glazes, along with tetsuyu (iron glaze). Kaiyu is a traditional glaze used at the kilns associated with the Sanage Kilns in the ninth to 11th centuries and at the Atsumi Kilns in the 12th century. Plant ashes are its ingredients and it achieves yellow-green or green shades when fired.
　This jar bears a design of peonies created with bold incised lines. A decoration technique incising lines with a narrow instrument is called kakka, which is one of the two most widely-used techniques to decorate koseto. This jar is in a heishi shape modeled after Chinese porcelain used for sake vessels.

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