Chinese celadon beloved in Japan

National Treasure　BOTTLE, celadon with iron brown spots　Yuan dynasty, 14th century　Kiln/ Longquan ware　(gift of SUMITOMO Group, the ATAKA Collection)　Photo：六田知弘

This vase is simply perfect, with well-balanced proportions, a beautiful greenish glaze with a moist feel, and decoration of tastefully placed iron specks. It is believed to have been made at the Longquan kilns during the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) in China and brought to Japan through Japan-Yuan trade. In China, such bottles, called "yuhuchun" (jade vessels of Spring), were used primarily as wine vessels, but in Japan they were highly valued as flower vases and used to decorate studies and tea ceremony rooms. This piece came from the Konoike family, a wealthy merchant of Osaka during the Edo period (1603-1868), and was treasured with the name “tobi seiji” (spotted celadon).