Dōnyū
Early Edo period (17th century)
Donated by the Homma family
This is a large, shallow bowl in the shape of a water basin for horses. Its mouth rim faces inwards slightly; its sides are wide, with a tautly shaped body and solidly stretched waist. The foot of the bowl is placed low, and its base is wide, giving the bowl a sense of stability. The entire piece is covered in Dōnyū’s signature red sand glaze, resulting in a vibrant finish. The glaze has been applied twice, creating a textured landscape around the waist of the bowl.
Dōnyū (1599–1656), who went by the name “Nonkō,” was the third-generation successor of the Raku family, a master craftsperson and outstanding Raku potter.