Japanese Ceramic Sake Bottle Chosen Karatsu Ware

Description

The long neck bottle of classic form was heavily potted with coarse clay with high iron content. The flask, circa … more The long neck bottle of classic form was heavily potted with coarse clay with high iron content. The flask, circa 18th century Edo period, was purposed for sake storage but also substituted as a flower vase during tea ceremony. The surface is covered in glossy black glaze and contrasts strikingly with white ash glaze around the shoulder. The white, fired with straw, displays a splashing feather effect and fine crackles, blending in with the black artistically. This type of Karatsu ware was originally introduced by Korean potters who were forcefully brought to Japan after the invasion of Korea at the end of 16th century. They originally settled in Naeshirogawa and Tateno area (nowadays Satsuam) and kick-started the local pottery industry. Their techniques and aesthetics spread across Japan and left strong imprints on Japanese ceramics.
This sub-type Karatsu ware is such an example, known as Chosen or Korean Karatsu. On the base of the bottle, there are two old stickers. One shows the price in BP (British Pounds). The other states that the bottle is a black satsuma from Naeshirogawa circa 18th century. Our research contradicts this acclaimed origin and identifies the flask as being a Chosen Karatsu type. There is, however, strong artistic link between black satsuma ware and chosen karatsu as mentioned above because both were derived from Korean prototypes.
Reference: The Golden Age of Karatsu Stoneware by Francois Villemin. Page 74 and 159.
For a very similar piece see A New Yorker's view of the world: The John C Weber Collection. Cat no. 87 on page 256. less