Bottle with long neck

Collection NumberA001635
TitleBottle with long neck
DateHeian period, 12th century
Artist, Kiln, Workshop常滑窯 Tokoname ware
Name of prefectures & citiesAichi prefecture, Japan
Place of excavationPresumably from Imosawa site, Minamichita area, Aichi prefecture
Description of works【Uniquely-formed bottle modeled after a metallic vessel】
An heir to pottery-making techniques of the Sanage Kilns, the Tokoname Kilns produced household items to be shipped to neighboring areas, such as small and large bowls, and plates in the 12th and 13th centuries CE. They also made other works to be widely distributed across Japan, including tsubo (narrow-mouthed jars) and kame (wide-mouthed jars).
In addition, although small in number, the Kilns made special forms, such as this one — a suibyo (literally, water bottle) used for offering flowers at Buddhist altars, or for storing water for priests to wash their hands. It was modeled after a metal vessel. Unlike the original, however, it has a thick, short neck, an incised band encircling the base of the neck, and other Tokoname-specific features.

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