Yuan dynasty, China (14th century)
Tangible Cultural Property, designated by Yamagata Prefecture
Donated by the Homma family
Fired in the Longquan kilns of Zhejiang province during Yuan Dynasty China, celadon vases with a dark blue-green translucent vase were known as Tenryūji 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 glamor.
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 (present-day Tsuruoka City). Later, the Homma family acquired these vases from the Sakai family of the Shōnai Domain. On 26 September 1881, Emperor Meiji exhibited them at Takusei School in Sakata.
The accompanying box is inscribed with the Sakai family’s storehouse number, “Ka-no-in 39th”.