Early Edo period (Late 17th century)
Tangible Cultural Property, designated by Sakata city
Donated by the Homma family
This porcelain fresh water container with a top handle was made in the Kakiemon style in Arita, Hizen Province (present-day Saga Prefecture). Shaped like a gourd, the bulging body is decorated with paintings of long-tailed birds and grapes in red, blue and green overglaze enamels with black linework; there are leaf-shaped applique flowers in porcelain at the base of the handle. Characterised by overglaze paintings on a milky-white base called “nigoshite,” Kakiemon-style porcelain was produced mainly for export to overseas markets.