Sencha Teapot (Kyūsu) with Literati

first half 19th century

Not on view

The refined decoration of this side-handled sencha teapot encapsulates several aspects of literati culture in Japan. The inscription referencing Su Shi’s well-known “Second Ode on the Red Cliff” suggests the appreciation of Chinese poetry, as does the depiction of handscrolls and books. The decoration also illustrates antiquities and tea utensils, and alludes to the enjoyment of scholarly conversations.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

赤絵金彩文人図急須
Title: Sencha Teapot (Kyūsu) with Literati
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: first half 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Porcelain with red overglaze and gold decoration (Kyoto ware)
Dimensions: H. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: Gift of Charles Stewart Smith, 1893
Object Number: 93.3.372a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Bowl, Nin'ami Dōhachi (Takahashi Dōhachi II) Japanese, Clay partly covered with glaze; reserves forming patterns having slip dots in the center, covered with a transparent glaze (Kyoto ware), Japan — Bowl
Nin'ami Dōhachi (Takahashi Dōhachi II)
19th century

Stacked Food Box (Jūbako) with Taro Plants and Chrysanthemums, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Lacquered wood, gold and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, and colored togidashimaki-e, Japan — Stacked Food Box (Jūbako) with Taro Plants and Chrysanthemums
Shibata Zeshin
mid-19th century

Vase, Inoue Ryōsai III Japanese, Porcelain covered with a celadon glaze, the top covered with colored glazes, Japan — Vase
Inoue Ryōsai III
1890

Six Jewel Rivers
, Sakai Ōho Japanese, Six handscrolls; ink, color, and gold on silk, Japan — Six Jewel Rivers
Sakai Ōho
ca. 1839

Bowl with floral medallions, Porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze enamels (Jingdezhen ware), China — Bowl with floral medallions
China
early 19th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.