Minneapolis Institute of Art

Water container

Japan

Date

first half 20th century

Medium

Lacquer on wood

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Water jars (mizusashi) such as this are a prominent utensil used in tea gatherings. The mizusashi would contain fresh water to refill the tea kettle and wash out used tea bowls, and thus occupies a conspicuous place near the kettle. The prominence of the mizusashi requires that the aesthetics of the piece be harmonious with the rest of the utensils. Negoro wares were favored by tea practitioners in the late 16th century, so the simple red lacquer coating of the piece may reference this predilection. However, the shiny, bright hue of this mizusashi is rather antithetical to the aged, well-worn look that negoro wares are prized for, and the clean lines and simple metallic embellishments speak to a modern aesthetic, dating this to sometime in the first half of the 20th century. Japan, Asia

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