Jar 1730

This jar was created by Nonomura Ninsei in Japan sometime in the mid to late 17th century. During this Edo period, Ninsei was instrumental in elevating Kyoto pottery to an art form. This vase exemplifies the influence of the tea ceremony on Japanese art. The floral design, with its stylized chrysanthemums, evokes the natural world, an important element of the tea ceremony. But, it's not simply a celebration of nature; the placement of the flowers and the jar's overall shape suggest a carefully constructed composition, reflecting the formal aspects of the tea ceremony itself. Given that the tea ceremony was often performed by the elite, Ninsei's pottery catered to the tastes of the upper classes, and the establishment of the Kyoto pottery industry helped elevate the social status of the artists. To understand this piece better, we can examine historical records, such as accounts of the tea ceremony during the Edo period. We can also explore the biographies of prominent potters like Ninsei to understand the social and economic factors that shaped their work.