Minneapolis Institute of Art

Sake vessel

Japan

Date

15th century

Medium

Negoro ware, black- and red-lacquered wood

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The elegant shape of Negoro-ware sake (rice wine) vessels ( heishi ) are similar to shapes seen in ceramic wine vessels from China that were imported to medieval Japan in abundance. This heishi from the 1400s features a narrow spout, exaggerated shoulders, gracefully narrowing waist, and slightly wider base. Most heishi were produced as pairs for the ritual offering of sake. Years of use have worn away areas of the red lacquer that once covered the entire surface of this vessel to reveal a layer of black lacquer beneath. Asia

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