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Freshwater Jar (Mizusashi)

1870–80s
Not on view
A star of the Moore ceramic collection, this freshwater jar features a whimsical composition with a procession of grasshoppers and a few wasps. The grasshoppers, carrying flowers as weapons or insignia, accompany an insect cage that echoes the palanquin of a high-ranking lady in a wedding procession or feudal lord’s procession. Inspired by paintings of the same subject, the theme must have appealed to Moore, who gravitated to anthropomorphic insects and animals. The Makuzu workshop exhibited a wide range of ceramics at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 初代眞葛香山作 昆虫たちの行列文水指
  • Title: Freshwater Jar (Mizusashi)
  • Artist: Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke) (Japanese, 1842–1916)
  • Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
  • Date: 1870–80s
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Stoneware with polychrome overglaze enamels and gold, wood lid, ivory knob (Makuzu ware)
  • Dimensions: H. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm); Diam. 6 1/4 in. (5.9 cm)
    H. (with cover and finial) 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm)
  • Classification: Ceramics
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.367a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Vase with Horse and Kirin on Geometric Sayagata (key fret) Pattern (one of a pair), Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke) Japanese, Porcelain with incised design and underglaze red, Japan
Vase with Horse and Kirin on Geometric Sayagata (key fret) Pattern (one of a pair)
Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke)
late 19th century
Vase, Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke) Japanese, White porcelain covered with a mazarine blue glaze (Kyoto ware), Japan
Vase
Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke)
19th century
Vase, Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke) Japanese, Clay covered with high-fired glazes, Japan
Vase
Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke)
19th century
Vase, Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke) Japanese, Porcelain covered with a dark green glaze and design in white enamel (Kyoto ware), Japan
Vase
Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke)
19th century
Teabowl, Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke) Japanese, Clay with flecks of crackle inside and out (Awata ware), Japan
Teabowl
Makuzu Kōzan I (Miyagawa Toranosuke)
ca. 1850

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