Momoyama period (16th century)
Tangible Cultural Property, designated by Sakata city
Donated by the Homma family
This black Seto tea bowl was fired at the Ogaya kiln in Mino, Gifu Prefecture. Wide and cylindrical, the bowl has a real sense of strength and presence, heightened by the glossy jet-black glaze. The bottom is level and the foot at the base is extremely low, which is highly characteristic of black Seto ware.
Similar to producing black Raku ware, black Seto ware is created by removing it from the kiln and rapidly cooling it to obtain its signature jet black color; the technique is believed to have originated in the Mino and Seto areas before spreading to Kyoto.
The lid of the accompanying box bears the inscription “Kanzanji” written in ink, but its origins and how it changed hands is unknown.