[Designated Cultural Property of Yamagata Prefecture]
Period: Yuan Dynasty, China (14C)
Fired in the Longquan kilns of Zhejiang province during Yuan Dynasty China, celadon vases with a dark blue-green translucent vase were known as Tenryuji celadon among Japanese tea masters. They were imported to Japan in large quantities between the Kamakura (1185-1333) and Muromachi (1336-1573) periods. Large vases with elongated necks and widely-flared mouths such as these were used in pairs with incense burners and candlesticks to decorate temple altars, and were mainly found at temples in Kamakura and Kyoto.
Surviving complementary vessels of this type are very rare. These vases are especially large and imposing examples of their kind, measuring 67.2cm tall. The horizontally-ribbed band design on the neck and lotus petal design on the lower part of the vases gives them an air of elegance, while the peony scroll carving adds a touch of glamour.
It is said that the feudal lord Katō Kiyomasa (1562–1611) brought the vases back from Korea during the war against the Korean Joseon (1592–1598). His son Tadahiro then brought them with him when he was exiled to the Maruoka domain in Dewa province.
** The name under which it was registered as a Designated Cultural Property is ‘Kinuta celadon peony vase.’