The Kura - Japanese Art Treasures

Robert Mangold has been working with Japanese antiques since 1995 with an emphasis on ceramics, Paintings, Armour and Buddhist furniture.

Edo period Tamba Funa-dokkuri Bottle, Dated 1716


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Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Pre 1800: Item # 1443190

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The Kura
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23 Murasakino Monzen-cho
Kita-ward Kyoto 603-8216
tel.81-75-201-3497
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 sold, with thanks! 
sold, with thanks!

A large and rare mid Edo period Tamba Funa-dokkuri Ship Bottle made with flaring mouth and wide flat bottom for use on Ships. Down the side is inscribed the date Kyoho Gannen (First year of Kyoho, 1716). The Akadobe clay is covered in rich green glaze cascading in rivulets all about, with a few scattered windows of raw clay exposed. The base is slightly concave, impressed with a fern leaf. The Funa (ship) tokkuri shape was originally made for the use on ships, the side bottom keeping it from spilling in tempestuous seas. This one is 25.5 cm (10 inches) diameter, 21 cm (8 inches) tall and is in excellent condition, enclosed in an old wooden storage box titled Tamba-yaki Funa-dokkuri. An exceptional and rare example. Exceptional and rare, although I use the words sparingly, this would be a perfect Museum example.
The Kyoho era is important for two factors: first, the population of the city of Edo (Tokyo) suprassed 1.1 million, making it the most populous city on earth. Second was the introduction of the Kyoho Reforms by the eight Shogun which sought to strengthen the market economy and slacken the grip of Confucian principles which stymied the economic system and relieve political and social issues. They also encouraged the import of western technology by lifting the ban on (non-christian) western books.