Ko-sometsuke
Baraset House offers a rare selection of 17th century Chinese Ming porcelain produced in Jingdezhen exclusively for the Japanese market.
Known as ko-sometsuke – ‘ko’ meaning ‘old’ and ‘sometsuke’ meaning ‘blue and white’ – these unique and characterful wares were mainly produced between 1620 and 1645 for the Japanese kaiseki (Tea Ceremony) which required a number of specific utensils such as incense burners (koro), incense containers (kogo), charcoal & water pots, and mukozuke food dishes.
Ko-sometsuke porcelain 古染付け was manufactured entirely to suit the tastes and sensibilities of the Japanese Tea Masters who embraced the sense of wabi-sabi – a philosophy that encourages one to appreciate the beauty of imperfection ("wabi" meaning simplicity; "sabi" meaning the beauty that comes with age and time).
The height of this folk-art type production occurred under the Ming emperor Tianqi 天啓 (1621 to 1627), whose short-lived reign witnessed the production breakdown of the official Chinese kilns sparked by the death of the Wanli Emperor in 1620. A surge of Japanese tea ceremony orders placed through the unofficial kilns of Jingdezhen focused on the Japanese aesthetic which coveted the simple and spontaneous appearance of porcelain manufactured using poorly levigated clay, and roughly potted with imperfections such as the prized glaze-faults known as mushikui, or ‘moth eaten’ edges. Ko-sometsuke wares display a delightfully refreshing spontaneity of design that makes them unique in Chinese ceramic history.
This very short period of production resulted in some of the most characterful and inspired porcelain ever created.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi era (1621-27)
A superb and extremely rare Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kōro (censer or incense burner) modelled in the form of a recumbent Buddhist lion-dog with its mouth agape to exhaust smoke, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue, splashed with fukizumi (blown ink) on the body and seated atop a rectangular plinth decorated with precious lozenges
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century - Tianqi period (1621-1627)
Measurements
10.5 cm long (4.25 inches); 12 cm high (4.75 inches)
A superbly modelled Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke kōro (incense burner) modelled as a recumbent Buddhist lion (shishi or foo-dog) splashed with fukizumi (blown-ink technique) on the body, the raised rectangular plinth form base painted on the long side in reverse technique with a flowerhead and scrolling branches on a blue ground, the ends with a precious double lozenge, all between double lines in underglaze blue.
An identical example in the Collection of The Asian Art Museum (San Francisco, USA). Another identical example formerly in the Collection of Dr. Cornelius Osgood (Professor at Yale University; author of "Blue-and-White Chinese Porcelain" pub.1956 ); and now with Marchant (London, UK).
Ko-sometsuke, meaning "Old Blue and White" is the term used to describe Chinese blue and white porcelain made for the Japanese market during the late Ming Dynasty. Ko-sometsuke wares were produced from the Wanli period (1573-1620) to the Chongzhen period (1628-1644), with the height of production being within the Tianqi period (1621-27). The objects produced were made specifically for the Japanese market, with the shapes and the designs being tailored to the Japanese taste. The shapes created were often expressly made for the Japanese Kaiseki (Tea Ceremony meal) and included mukozuke (small food dishes), kōro (incense burners), and kōgō (small incense containers).
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In superb original condition with no restoration under UV light.
Expected glaze flakes, mushikui, natural bubble bursts.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi era (1621-27)
A rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke deep dish vibrantly painted with a fruiting Peach tree in a Moonlit Garden, inscribed with a famous poem by Tang Dynasty poet & philosopher Liu Yuxi (772-842)
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century - Tianqi period (1621-1627)
Measurements
21.0 cm diameter; 4.0 cm high
Description
The heavily potted deep dish boldly painted with branches of fruiting peach, below swirling clouds and and the moon, and inscribed with two lines from the famous Tang Dynasty poem written in 828 by Liu Yuxi at the Xuandu Temple Peach Gardens which painted a thinly veiled picture of his contempt of court politics. Liu Yuxi's last two lines which adorn this late Ming period dish compel the reader to stay true to one's original intentions; to remain unwavering and unyielding in the face of adversity - an ode to tenacity, strong-will and perseverance.
种桃道士归何处
前度刘郎今又来
Liu Yuxi wrote two controversial poems about Peach Blossoms in the Xuande Temple - both of these resulting in his banishment. The first written in 815 and titled "The Peach Blossoms of Xuandu Temple". Fourteen years later, upon returning from exile, Liu Yuxi again visited Xuandu Temple to see the Peach Blossoms. He wrote "Visiting Xuandu Temple Again" (the subject of the present poem dish) which can be translated to:
"Half of the hundred-acre garden is covered with moss,
the peach blossoms are gone and the wildflowers are blooming.
Where did the Taoist priests who planted the peach trees go?
Here returns that once departed Liu."
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi - Chongzhen era (1621-44)
An extremely rare & desirable late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke akoda-uri (winter pumpkin) form chaire (tea caddy), strikingly painted in underglaze cobalt blue with 'The Four Hats of Ming Officials' - the Yishan Guan of the Emperor, the Wushamao of government officials, the Zhanjiao Putou for civic officials, and the He Guan Hanfu for military leaders
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
Measurements
5.8 cm wide; 5.1 cm high
Naturalistically modelled in the form of a squat pumpkin or gourd, the mouth and foot encircled by double concentric rings, the body boldly painted in underglaze cobalt blue with 'Four Hats of Ming Dynasty Officials'. The base unglazed. A finely carved antique rosewood lid with knop and interior gold foil.
The chaire 茶入 is a small porcelain container with a lid used in the Japanese tea ceremony to hold powdered green tea (matcha) for making koicha (thick tea). The chaire is one of the most important and valued utensils in the tea ceremony.
In fitting with the decorative 'hat theme' of this characterful tea caddy, the akoda-uri wintermelon for which the shape is taken traditionally lends its name to The Akoda-Nari Kabuto, a type of samurai helmet, which itself also resembles the lobed shape of the wintermelon. The potter and decorator of this hat themed tea caddy certainly had a sense of humour, with every element of the design being a 'tip of the hat' to traditional Ming head ware.
Ko-sometsuke tea ceremony pieces in this Ming 'crown' or 'hat' design are exceedingly rare. A truly exceptional piece.
With formal tea ceremony storage including a traditional Japanese paulownia wood storage box, a cylindrical lacquer interior storage box with fine silk shifuku cover, and another silk shifuku cover for the porcelain tea caddy.
Condition
In very good original condition with only two minor flakes to the interior edge of the mouth, unnoticeable with the lid on, and one very small ancient chip to the exterior mouth edge. Firing sparks from the kiln. Flat, unglazed base with wheel marks. The finely carved rosewood lid lined with gold foil in excellent condition, with a tight seal to the porcelain.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi (1621-27)
An extremely rare Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container box and cover) in the form of a roosting chicken, the features and feathers drawn in underglaze cobalt blue in a loosely flowing and artistic manner full of character
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for Japan
Measurements
6.0 cm long; 3.3 cm wide; 5.0 cm high
Description
Naturalistically modelled as a characterful roosting hen, loosely painted in underglaze cobalt blue with stylized feathers and features, perched atop an oval base with flat and partially glazed underside.
A nearly identical example illustrated in Masahiko Kawahara Ko-sometsuke (Kyoto Shoin Co Ltd, Japan) 1977, image 111.
Similarly-modelled chicken incense containers were well ranked in the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke (incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
Excellent original unrestored condition. Mushikui to the edges.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi (1621-27)
A very rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke deep dish vibrantly painted with a pair of fenghuang Sun-birds (phoenixes) encircling the Sun
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627)
Measurements
21.0 cm diameter; 4.0 cm high
Description
According the ancient Chinese mythology, the God of Heaven Di Jun took Xi He as wife, and she gave birth to ten sons who grew up to become ten suns in the sky. Xi He is known in Chinese mythology as the Mother of the Sun.
In this story, her ten suns were like birds. They had wings and could flew across the sky bringing heat all over the land. The ten suns in the sky were disastrous for mankind because they brought too much heat. To save mankind, an archer named Hou Yi volunteered to shoot down the ten suns. Hou Yi managed to kill nine of the ten suns by shooting them down, but the last sun was only injured and lost its wings. It fell to the earth and had to hide itself for fear of being hunted down and killed by Hou Yi.
When this last sun went into hiding, the whole earth fell into complete darkness.
To bring back daylight, the Immortal Phoenix volunteered to find the hiding sun. The Phoenix found the sun and nursed it back to health. However, the sun had lost its wings and could not return to the sky. So the Phoenix took the sun under its wings and flew it across the sky. With the help of the Phoenix, the sun rose again at dawn and set at dusk when the Phoenix brought it back down to its hiding place.
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In superb original condition with no restoration under UV light.
Expected glaze flakes, mushikui, natural bubble bursts.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, 17th century
A very rare and pleasing 17th century ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container box) naturalistically modelled in the form of a takenoko bamboo shoot, finely decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Measurements
7.0cm high
Description
A highly unusual Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke incense container and cover naturalistically modelled in the form of a bamboo shoot boldly and brilliantly decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the base encircled with dots.
Ko-Sometsuke, meaning "Old Blue and White" is the term used to describe Chinese blue and white porcelain made for the Japanese market during the late Ming Dynasty. Ko-sometsuke wares were produced from the Wanli period (1573-1620) to the Chongzhen period (1628-1644), with the main period of production being the Tianqi period (1621-27). The objects produced were made specifically for the Japanese market, with the shapes and the designs being tailored to the Japanese taste. The shapes created were often expressly made for the Japanese Kaiseki (Tea Ceremony meal) and included mukozuke (small food dishes), kōro (incense burners), and kōgō (small incense containers).
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In very good original condition with one tiny hairline to the top lip of the base. Kiln grit and sand adhesion to the base rim.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi - Chongzhen era (1621-44)
A Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke deep dish energetically painted with a pair of galloping horses, with a fort and flagpole in the distance beneath a moonlit landscape, unglazed base
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
Measurements
14.0 cm diameter; 4.0 cm high
Boldly painted in underglaze cobalt blue with a moonlit scene depicting a pair of horses galloping across a foreground indicated by a clump of grass, a hill and fort with flagpole in the distance.
An identical dish in The Butler Family collection - also with unusual unglazed base and footrim - and likely by the same hand as the present dish. Illustrated in Curtis, Julia 'Trade, Taste & Transformation: Jingdezhen Porcelain for Japan 1620-1645' (The China Institute) 2006, no. 54, p.78. Notably, the footrim and base of the dish both the present example and the Butler Family example are left unglazed - Julia Curtis notes in her 2006 publication Trade, Taste & Transformation: "both the foot and the slightly convex bottom are unglazed; it is highly unusual not to have a glazed bottom. The foot is hastily beveled, and coarse kiln grit adheres to the foot and the glaze outside the foot." (p.78). Curtis also refers to the symbolism of the pair of horses "emblematic of speed and endurance and also symbolizing strength and courage. In the Shinto religion of Japan, the horse was able to carry messages between heaven and earth" (p.78).
Condition
In good original condition with a minor kiln flaw to the edge of the rim with small associated hairline extending from the rim. Expected mushikui to rim. Sand and kiln grit to the footrim.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi - Chongzhen era (1621-44)
A rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke mukozuke dish naturalistically modelled in the form of a maple leaf, painted in underglaze blue with a waterfront scene depicting a solitary pagoda surrounded by rocks and trees in the foreground and a solitary island in the distance, the reverse finely molded with naturalistic veining, raised atop three squat columnar feet
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
Measurements
15.0cm long (6.9 inches); 4.6cm high (1.6 inches)
A rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke mukozuke dish naturalistically modelled in the form of a maple leaf, painted in underglaze blue with a waterfront scene depicting a solitary pagoda surrounded by rocks and trees in the foreground and a solitary island in the distance.
The reverse finely molded with naturalistic veining, raised atop three squat columnar feet showcasing highlights of a pleasing brilliant orange body where the glaze pulled back in the original firing. A very pleasing form.
Similar Ko-sometsuke maple leaf form mukozuke in the Itsu-o Fine Arts Museum Collection and the Tokyo National Museum Collection.
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In original condition with no restoration under UV light.
Expected minor glaze flakes, mushikui, natural bubble bursts throughout.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, 17th century
A rare ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container box) modelled in the form of a Chinese Yishan-guan hat, decorated in bold cobalt blue stripes to the front and top, with floral embellishments painted onto the two upward-curving wings at the back
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for Japan
Measurements
4.5 cm high; 4.5 cm wide
Description
The distinctively shaped Yishan-guan hat was worn by emperors and high-ranking officials throughout the Ming Dynasty. Its unique structure features a flat top with two upward-curving wings at the back, giving it a majestic appearance. The hat was often adorned with intricate patterns and precious stones and was recognized as a symbol of power and prestige.
A similarly-shaped Yishan-guan crown form incense container was ranked in the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke (incense container ranking list published in 1855) and illustrated in Masahiko Kawahara Ko-sometsuke (Kyoto Shoin Co Ltd, Japan) 1977.
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
Excellent original unrestored condition. Very minor mushikui to the edges.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi (1621-27)
A superbly painted and extremely rare Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container box and cover) in the form of a byobu-bako (Japanese folding screen box) painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue with scenes depicting two men riding bamboo rafts upon Seigaiha water and two wild horses frolicking on the land
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627)
Measurements
4.0 cm high; 4.9 cm long; 2.9 cm wide
Description
A Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke incense container and cover in the form of a byōbu-bako 屏風箱 (Japanese folding screen box) painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue with two bellflowers on the top of the cover, a pair of raft riders on water depicted with the Seigaiha pattern (a traditional Japanese auspcious omens motif of 'Blue sea and waves' in which the waves are lapped over alternately) beneath a cloudy sky on one long side, a pair of frolicking horses on the other long side, and wild grass patterns on the short sides. Also called "Ko-sometsuke Doran Kogo".
A similarly-shaped and decorated folding-screen box incense container was highly ranked in the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke (treasured incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
Elegant, old kintsugi (gold) repair to the lid
Expected minor glaze flakes and mushikui to the edges.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi (1621-27)
A very rare Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke Seifu Meigetsu kogo (incense container box) modelled in the form of two pairs of wooden clappers, the sides decorated with pine branches in underglaze cobalt blue, the cover painted with an open fan and Chinese characters reading 'Clear Breeze, Bright Moon'
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for Japan
Measurements
6.0 cm long; 4.0 cm wide; 2.5 cm high
Description
Modelled as a pair of sekigi (wooden musical clappers) laying side-by-side and staggered, the top of the cover painted on one side with four Chinese characters reading 'Cool breeze, Bright Moon' and on the other side with an open hand fan. The sides painted with a stylized design variously referred to as either pine trees or drying nets.
This particular example is called 'Seifu Meigetsu' in ancient Japanese records.
Similarly-shaped clappers incense container was ranked second, west row, in the “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 - a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
Comes with formal tea ceremony storage, including a fine traditional Japanese silk shifuku cover, inscribed wooden storage box with rice-paper covering, outer furoshiki cloth wrap, ribbon, and wooden tablet label inscribed "Hyoshigi-kogo / Seifu Meigetsu" (Clapper Incense Container / Clear Wind, Bright Moon).
Condition
Excellent original unrestored condition. Expected glaze flakes and mushikui to the edges. Firing sparks from the kiln.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi - Chongzhen era (1621-44)
A rare Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container box and cover) in the form of a byobu-bako (Japanese folding screen box) painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the cover featuring a waterscape scene with a solitary scholar on a rocky shore by a bamboo hut
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
Measurements
5.7 cm high (inches); 5.5 cm long ( inches) ; 3.7 cm wide (inches)
Description
A Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke incense container and cover in the form of a byōbu-bako 屏風箱 (Japanese folding screen box) painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the cover featuring a waterscape scene with a solitary scholar on a rocky shore by a bamboo hut, each short side decorated with a large flowering hibiscus. One long side of the box painted in Seigaiha pattern (a traditional Japanese auspcious omens motif of 'Blue sea and waves' in which the waves are lapped over alternately). The other long side decorated in a diamond lattice pattern.
A similarly-shaped folding-screen box incense container was highly ranked in the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke (incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In original condition with no restoration under UV light.
Expected minor glaze flakes, mushikui, natural bubble bursts.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi era (1621-27)
A very rare and characterful Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container box) naturalistically modelled in the form of a comical and slightly curled sho-no-Ebi shrimp boldly decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the sides of the cover and base splashed with fukizumi (blown ink)
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century, Tianqi period (1621-1627)
Measurements
9 cm long (3.5 inches); cm high ( inches)
Description
A delightful Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container) naturalistically modelled in the form of a slightly curled sho-no-Ebishrimp boldly decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the sides of the cover and base splashed with fukizumi (blown-ink technique).
The present example of particularily desirable and very rare form. A similarly-shaped shrimp incense container was ranked in the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke(incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi - Chongzhen era (1621-44)
A very rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke dish painted with an oceanic scene of bats circling the Chinese island of the Immortals, called Mount Horai (in Japanese) / Penglai Isle (in Chinese)
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
Measurements
15.1 cm diameter; 2.7 cm high
Boldly painted in underglaze cobalt blue with a moonlit scene depicting a pair of bats in flight encircling the mythical island of Mount Horai / Penglai Island, one of the three sacred islands in the East China Sea, where immortals dwell. According to ancient Chinese legend, the Eight Immortals live in a golden Palace on Mount Penglai surrounded by bejewelled trees. On the Island of the Immortals, there is no winter, no agony, no famine - rice bowls and wine glasses perpetually re-fill and enchanted fruits offer eternal youth.
Tradition holds that Xu Fu - a Chinese servant sent to find the mythical Island - found Japan instead and named Mount Fuji as Penglai. From the medieval period onwards, many Japanese people believed that Penglai was located on the island of Japan where Xu Fu originally landed. Others believed that Mount Horai is mere fantasy and called it Shinkiro, meaning mirage; "a vision of the intangible".
Condition
In very good unrestored condition with an original slip-glazed kiln flaw to the edge of the rim. Sand and kiln grit to the footrim.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, 17th century
A 17th century ko-sometsuke square kogo (incense container box) the domed 'cushion' cover boldly painted with a recumbent ox, the sides with bird-in-trellis pattern
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Measurements
5.5cm long; 3.7cm wide; 5.5cm high
The domed cushion-top hastily painted with a recumbent ox, the four sides decorated with a continuous criss-cross trellis pattern centred by a bird-like design in each diamond opening. The base unglazed, the interior partially glazed.
A highly desirable ko-sometsuke incense container, the plump cushion-top with recumbent ox box was ranked ninth in the west front rank on the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke (treasured incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
Two very similar examples illustrated in Masahiko Kawahara Ko-sometsuke (Kyoto Shoin Co Ltd, Japan) 1977, p.4, images 7 & 8, one from the Yamakawa Bunka Zaidan collection.
Condition
In original condition with no restoration under UV light.
Expected minor glaze flakes, mushikui, natural bubble bursts.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, 17th century
A late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container box) naturalistically modelled in the form of a plump peach, the moulded stem and leaves boldly decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the sides of the cover and base splashed with fukizumi (blown ink)
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Measurements
6.5cm long; 5.0cm wide; 4.0cm high
Description
A delightful Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container) naturalistically modelled in the form of a plump peach, the moulded stem and leaves boldly decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the sides of the cover and base splashed with fukizumi (blown-ink technique).
The present example of particularly desirable and rare form. A similarly-shaped peach incense container was ranked in the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke (treasured incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, 17th century
A very rare 17th century ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container box) modelled in the form of two partially folded and overlapping hand-fans, painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue featuring a lakeside scene of a scholar on a rocky shore by a bamboo hut
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Measurements
7.5 cm long (inches); 6.5 cm wide ( inches) ; 3.5 cm high (inches)
Description
A Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke incense container and cover in the form of two overlapping folding hand fans painted in deep tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the cover featuring a waterscape scene of a solitary scholar on a rocky shore by a bamboo hut.
Ko-Sometsuke, meaning "Old Blue and White" is the term used to describe Chinese blue and white porcelain made for the Japanese market during the late Ming Dynasty. Ko-sometsuke wares were produced from the Wanli period (1573-1620) to the Chongzhen period (1628-1644), with the main period of production being the Tianqi period (1621-27). The objects produced were made specifically for the Japanese market, with the shapes and the designs being tailored to the Japanese taste. The shapes created were often expressly made for the Japanese Kaiseki (Tea Ceremony meal) and included mukozuke (small food dishes), kōro (incense burners), and kōgō (small incense containers).
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In very good condition with minor flaking to the edge.