Jar

Jar, 15th century, Stoneware with natural ash glaze (Shigaraki ware), 21 7/16 in. (54.5 cm), This large storage jar from the Shigaraki Valley, southeast of Kyoto, epitomizes an aesthetic integral to Japanese ceramics. Coil-built in sections, the jar demonstrates the classic Shigaraki character, which is defined by a rough, rust-orange surface combined with a natural olive-green ash glaze that runs from the narrow neck and over the bulging shoulders to the foot. The high iron content of the clay gives the body its reddish tonality, while the abundance of feldspar and quartz creates the gritty white particles on the surface. The simple form and subdued color of Shigaraki wares were cherished by tea masters; today, the jar remains eye-catching for its modest and profound beauty. , Japan, Japanese, Muromachi period (1336–1573), Containers - Ceramics. (Photo by: Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)