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Updated: 29 Mar 2024

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Japanese Pottery Satsuma Ware (Satsuma Yaki-05)

$713.49

Delivery Time: 5 – 14 DAYS
*Delivery may take longer, depending on countries or holiday seasons.

Title: Satsuma Ware, Karajishi Ryu zu

Signature: Signed but cannot be read
Material: soil

Size Weight
5.8cm × 10.0cm (approximately) 122 g

You can enlarge all the photos to see the detail of the item.

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SKU: Satsuma Yaki-05 Categories: ,

Title: Satsuma Ware, Karajishi Ryu Zu

Description
 This item is a white color base Satsuma ware. Its pale cream-colored pot is brightly decorated with red, blue, and green. In addition, the gold coloring gives it a luxurious look for this work. This type of Satsuma ware is made from white soil. And this raw material was extracted only in a minimal area in the territory of the Satsuma. Therefore, it was treated as a valuable item. If you look at the surface of this pot, you will find delicate cracks. It is called the Kan-Nyu (嵌入), and it was made because the contraction percentage is different between the soil and glaze. So, these minute cracks are not considered damage when we enjoy the Satsuma ware. People think of it as a characteristic flavor.

 At the top of this pot, you would find a dog-liked animal motif. We believe this motif is the Karajishi (唐獅子). The Shishi (獅子) means a lion in Japanese, and the Karajishi is a lion brought from the continent to Japan in the Toh period (唐, Tang dynasty, 618-907). The Karajishi typically has curly hair for its head, neck, body, and tail, as seen in this work. In Buddhism, the Karajishi is regarded as a symbol of wisdom, and Monju Bosatu (文殊菩薩, Manjushri Bodhisattva) rides lions. According to a theory, the Karajishi is the origin of Komainu (狛犬, stone guardian dogs that exorcize evil spirits). It shows this beast motif has been familiar to Japanese people since ancient times.

 Cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums are designed on the upper side of this pot. Cherry blossom is one of the seasonal things of spring, and it has been loved for a long time in Japan. A theory says that the god of grain exists in cherry blossoms. Therefore, this flower pattern has been treated as the symbol of a plentiful harvest.

 A long time ago, chrysanthemum flowers were used as a medicine for obtaining a long life, and it was brought to Japan from the continent with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). Chrysanthemum symbolizes fall, and people have greatly appreciated it since ancient times. As its petals form radially, the chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. That is why this flower pattern is treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health. The chrysanthemum is one of the popular classical motifs for Japanese people.

 If you focus on the lower part of this pot, you will find that a dragon is twinning around it. Same as other motifs, it is gorgeously colored with golden paint. Initially, the dragon was an imaginary creature found in ancient foreign traditions or myths. Furthermore, it is regarded as a symbol of auspicious signs. Its body is likened to nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, belly is Mizuchi (蛟, a mythical animal in Japan which looks like a snake and has a horn and four legs), scales are fish, claws are falcons, palms are tigers, and ears are cows. It was thought that the dragon would reign at the top of all animals because of its odd-looking appearance.

 This Satsuma ware pot is decorated with several auspicious motifs. We hope you enjoyed the meanings of each of them and love this pot.

*As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition.

What is Satsuma Yaki?
 Satsuma Yaki (薩摩焼, Satsuma ware) is Japanese pottery made in Satsuma Province (Kagoshima Pref. today). From 1529 to 1598, the battle of Bunroku, Keichou (文禄・慶長の役) happened. It was the conflict between Japan and the Korean Peninsula. After this troop dispatch to the Korean Peninsula, Yoshihiro Shimazu, the 17th feudal lord of the Satsuma domain, brought back more than 80 Korean potters to Japan. They opened kilns in various parts into the Satsuma domain and made different pottery types depending on their locations or style of a potter. They were categorized into five styles: Naeshirogawa-Kei (苗代川系), Tateno-Kei (竪野系), Ryumonji-Kei (龍門司系), Nishimochida-Kei (西餅田系), Hirasa-Kei (平佐系). And all of them are called Satsuma Yaki.

 Satsuma ware is classified as two groups based on the differences of each characteristic. There are Shiro-Satsuma (白薩摩) and Kuro-Satsuma (黒薩摩). Shiro-Satsuma is also called Shiromon (白もん). It is made of white clay and is carefully molded. And then, it is covered with a transparent glaze. Fine cracks are seen on the surface of the pottery. Usually, it is decorated with gorgeous designs with gold, red, green, purple, and yellow. Shiro-Satsuma was made for the domain so that the domain and the Shimazu family had it. Kuro-Satsuma is also known as Kuromon (黒もん). It has been appreciated as a daily household appliance for ordinary people in contrast to Shiromon. As it uses ferrous soil, Kuro-Satsuma has black color and has a simple and sturdy body.

 Satsuma ware was exhibited in the 1867 Paris World Expo and regarded highly in Europe. Since then, Satsuma ware has been called “SATSUMA” and is loved in Japan and overseas.




【About us】
 Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on.

【Payment method】
 We accept payment through Stripe (Credit card), PayPal, Apple Pay or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. Also, you don’t need to make an account on Stripe for the checkout. If you prefer other payment method, please contact us. You may either pay in JPY, USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, CHF or GBP. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate. 

【Shipping duration】
 We normally ship via EMS (Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. It usually takes at least 5-14 days to deliver the package after you place an order. 

 We offer Free International Shipping as long as we can ship your order by EMS. If you prefer other shipping carriers, please contact us.  
 We will inform you of the order’s tracking number via email. Please make sure you fill out your valid email address correctly. 

*If you like to make sure if EMS shipping is available to your country, please contact us.

【How to make sure the condition】
 Please keep in mind that what you are going to purchase is an antique item. We uploaded high resolution photos for you to check its condition thoroughly. If you like to see more photos with different angles, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to send them to you so that you can make informed decision. 

 It is essential for us to know that you are happy with your choice of antique item and we are prepared to use the best of our ability to serve you.

 

 Would you like see some more antique items for sale? Please check the link below. We hope you can find your favorite item.
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product-category/antique/

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