OLD JAR, Tamba, Edo Period（1603–1867CE）

A Tamba jar from the mid-Edo period.

This jar measures approximately 28cm wide and 26cm high, with a rounded, swollen body and a short, upright rim. Its proportions—neither too large nor too small—make it easy to place on the floor, a shelf, or by an entrance, and it firmly conveys the compelling presence of antique pottery.

Part of the rim bears a notch, apparently intended for hanging a ladle. This detail, occasionally found on Old Shigaraki jars, should not be read as mere damage but as evidence of the vessel’s use for handling water or other liquids. The opposite side of the rim has a large chip; in this jar, that too has become part of its visual character.

Across the body, natural ash glaze formed in the kiln has fallen heavily, producing a complex layering of white, flowing ash, dark brown firing discoloration, and a reddish clay surface. Tamba ware is counted among Japan’s six ancient kilns and has long produced chiefly everyday vessels such as jars, crocks, and mortars. As ash descends within the kiln and the interplay of clay and fire yields natural glaze, many notable works have been produced. This piece is not a formally pristine, refined jar, yet the white flow on the front is powerful and conveys clearly the effects of fire and ash. Chips to the rim, numerous kiln scars, and scuffs on the body have been left unrepaired and untouched. There is a bearing here unique to a vessel worn through use as a tool—one that does not condemn its flaws but, instead, reveals a singular beauty distinct from that of an intact example.

This jar bears numerous marks, yet somehow invites flowers. When branches or wild blooms are arranged loosely within it, the chips and the rugged vistas of natural glaze embrace the flowers, revealing a beauty that is not overly refined. Rather than a neat, pristine example, this antique ceramic is to be enjoyed for the passage of time it embodies.

Owing to its age, the rim bears notches believed to have been made for a ladle and a large chip; the body shows abrasion, kiln scars, areas where the natural glaze has flaked, iron staining, and adhered deposits. While there are numerous marks and signs of use, they do not significantly impair the jar’s overall form, and it retains the deeply expressive character of an old Tamba jar.