Minneapolis Institute of Art

Wide-mouthed Oil Jar (kayatsubo)

Japan

Date

c. 1750

Medium

Tanba ware, stoneware with natural ash glaze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Kaya tree oil was used both in Buddhist ritual and for cooking. It comes from the seeds of the kaya tree (Torreya nucifera), which is native to southern Japan and parts of the Korean peninsula. The oil was often stored in short, wide-mouth jars like this one. Older oil jars are occasionally repurposed as rustic utensils for the tea ceremony. Asia

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