SIX-HANDLED JAR, Ko-Karatsu, green-glazed, with scroll pattern, Edo Period (1603–1867 CE)

This ancient Ko-Karatsu jar features a design characterized by a high iron content in its clay body, onto which a layer of white slip has been evenly applied using brushes and cloth. The peony and arabesque motifs are elegantly revealed through incised carving. Six handles are symmetrically arranged from the rim to the body, merging practicality with decorative appeal. The thin green glaze enhances the underlying clay's hues, while the occasional cracks and glaze separations tell a story of long-term use and the passage of time. Originally utilized as a container for medicinal herbs and tea leaves, its shape is designed to enhance airtightness. When employed as a vessel for aging tea leaves, it deepens in character over time, allowing one to savor the gradual evolution of its essence.