Tea jar 1650 - 1670

This striking tea jar was created by Nonomura Ninsei in Japan during the Edo period. As Japan underwent significant urbanization and commercial expansion, cultural institutions such as the tea ceremony gained prominence, creating a market for specialized objects like this jar. Ninsei, recognized as Kyoto's paramount potter, played a crucial role in elevating the social status of the potter. Before Ninsei, potters were regarded as anonymous artisans. The creation of such refined tea objects also points to the high status of tea in Japanese society at the time. Note the simple yet elegant form, adorned with horizontal bands of color, achieved through sophisticated glazing techniques. The jar reflects the aesthetic principles of 'wabi-sabi,' emphasizing simplicity, asymmetry, and the beauty of natural imperfections, principles which dominated the tea ceremony. Careful historical research, drawing upon period documents and studies of tea culture, helps us understand the pivotal role of artisans like Ninsei in shaping cultural values and practices during this transformative period.