LARGE BOWL, Sue Ware, mino stamp, Nara Period (710–794 CE)

This is a Sue ware bowl featuring a Mino stamp. In Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture (formerly known as Mino Province), there exists a group of ancient kiln sites designated as a national historic site. This site is recognized as the largest production area for Sue ware. Among the excavated remains, three kiln sites have been identified, and from one of these, the Old Cave No. 1 kiln, numerous pieces of Sue ware inscribed with the characters "Mino" or "Mino no Kuni" have been unearthed. These stamped Sue wares bear a striking resemblance to those found at the Fujiwara Palace from the Asuka period, suggesting that they were produced during the early Nara period (710–794 CE).

This particular piece is a large bowl-shaped Sue ware, adorned with a "Mino" stamp on its side. It is in excellent condition, retaining its complete form, and is of museum quality.