Ko-sometsuke
Baraset House offers a rare selection of 17th century Chinese Ming porcelain produced in Jingdezhen exclusively for the Japanese market.
Known as ko-sometsuke – ‘ko’ meaning ‘old’ and ‘sometsuke’ meaning ‘blue and white’ – these unique and characterful wares were mainly produced between 1620 and 1645 for the Japanese kaiseki (Tea Ceremony) which required a number of specific utensils such as incense burners (koro), incense containers (kogo), charcoal & water pots, and mukozuke food dishes.
Ko-sometsuke porcelain 古染付け was manufactured entirely to suit the tastes and sensibilities of the Japanese Tea Masters who embraced the sense of wabi-sabi – a philosophy that encourages one to appreciate the beauty of imperfection ("wabi" meaning simplicity; "sabi" meaning the beauty that comes with age and time).
The height of this folk-art type production occurred under the Ming emperor Tianqi 天啓 (1621 to 1627), whose short-lived reign witnessed the production breakdown of the official Chinese kilns sparked by the death of the Wanli Emperor in 1620. A surge of Japanese tea ceremony orders placed through the unofficial kilns of Jingdezhen focused on the Japanese aesthetic which coveted the simple and spontaneous appearance of porcelain manufactured using poorly levigated clay, and roughly potted with imperfections such as the prized glaze-faults known as mushikui, or ‘moth eaten’ edges. Ko-sometsuke wares display a delightfully refreshing spontaneity of design that makes them unique in Chinese ceramic history.
Their very short period of production resulted in some of the most characterful and inspired porcelain ever created.
Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi era (1621-27)
A superb and extremely rare Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kōro (censer or incense burner) modelled in the form of a recumbent Buddhist lion-dog with its mouth agape to exhaust smoke, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue, splashed with fukizumi (blown ink) on the body and seated atop a rectangular plinth decorated with precious lozenges
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century - Tianqi period (1621-1627)
Measurements
10.5 cm long (4.25 inches); 12 cm high (4.75 inches)
A superbly modelled Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke kōro (incense burner) modelled as a recumbent Buddhist lion (shishi or foo-dog) splashed with fukizumi (blown-ink technique) on the body, the raised rectangular plinth form base painted on the long side in reverse technique with a flowerhead and scrolling branches on a blue ground, the ends with a precious double lozenge, all between double lines in underglaze blue.
An identical example in the Collection of The Asian Art Museum (San Francisco, USA). Another identical example formerly in the Collection of Dr. Cornelius Osgood (Professor at Yale University; author of "Blue-and-White Chinese Porcelain" pub.1956 ); and now with Marchant (London, UK).
Ko-sometsuke, meaning "Old Blue and White" is the term used to describe Chinese blue and white porcelain made for the Japanese market during the late Ming Dynasty. Ko-sometsuke wares were produced from the Wanli period (1573-1620) to the Chongzhen period (1628-1644), with the height of production being within the Tianqi period (1621-27). The objects produced were made specifically for the Japanese market, with the shapes and the designs being tailored to the Japanese taste. The shapes created were often expressly made for the Japanese Kaiseki (Tea Ceremony meal) and included mukozuke (small food dishes), kōro (incense burners), and kōgō (small incense containers).
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In superb original condition with no restoration under UV light.
Expected glaze flakes, mushikui, natural bubble bursts.
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Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi era (1621-27)
A rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke deep dish vibrantly painted with a fruiting Peach tree in a Moonlit Garden, inscribed with a famous poem by Tang Dynasty poet & philosopher Liu Yuxi (772-842)
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century - Tianqi period (1621-1627)
Measurements
21.0 cm diameter; 4.0 cm high
Description
The heavily potted deep dish boldly painted with branches of fruiting peach, below swirling clouds and and the moon, and inscribed with two lines from the famous Tang Dynasty poem written in 828 by Liu Yuxi at the Xuandu Temple Peach Gardens which painted a thinly veiled picture of his contempt of court politics. Liu Yuxi's last two lines which adorn this late Ming period dish compel the reader to stay true to one's original intentions; to remain unwavering and unyielding in the face of adversity - an ode to tenacity, strong-will and perseverance.
种桃道士归何处
前度刘郎今又来
Liu Yuxi wrote two controversial poems about Peach Blossoms in the Xuande Temple - both of these resulting in his banishment. The first written in 815 and titled "The Peach Blossoms of Xuandu Temple". Fourteen years later, upon returning from exile, Liu Yuxi again visited Xuandu Temple to see the Peach Blossoms. He wrote "Visiting Xuandu Temple Again" (the subject of the present poem dish) which can be translated to:
"Half of the hundred-acre garden is covered with moss,
the peach blossoms are gone and the wildflowers are blooming.
Where did the Taoist priests who planted the peach trees go?
Here returns that once departed Liu."
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Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi - Chongzhen era (1621-44)
A rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke mukozuke dish naturalistically modelled in the form of a maple leaf, painted in underglaze blue with a waterfront scene depicting a solitary pagoda surrounded by rocks and trees in the foreground and a solitary island in the distance, the reverse finely molded with naturalistic veining, raised atop three squat columnar feet
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
Measurements
15.0cm long (6.9 inches); 4.6cm high (1.6 inches)
A rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke mukozuke dish naturalistically modelled in the form of a maple leaf, painted in underglaze blue with a waterfront scene depicting a solitary pagoda surrounded by rocks and trees in the foreground and a solitary island in the distance.
The reverse finely molded with naturalistic veining, raised atop three squat columnar feet showcasing highlights of a pleasing brilliant orange body where the glaze pulled back in the original firing. A very pleasing form.
Similar Ko-sometsuke maple leaf form mukozuke in the Itsu-o Fine Arts Museum Collection and the Tokyo National Museum Collection.
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In original condition with no restoration under UV light.
Expected minor glaze flakes, mushikui, natural bubble bursts throughout.
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Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi - Chongzhen era (1621-44)
A very rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke deep dish vibrantly painted with a pair of fenghuang Sun-birds (phoenixes) encircling the Sun
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
Measurements
21.0 cm diameter; 4.0 cm high
Description
According the ancient Chinese mythology, the God of Heaven Di Jun took Xi He as wife, and she gave birth to ten sons who grew up to become ten suns in the sky. Xi He is known in Chinese mythology as the Mother of the Sun.
In this story, her ten suns were like birds. They had wings and could flew across the sky bringing heat all over the land. The ten suns in the sky were disastrous for mankind because they brought too much heat. To save mankind, an archer named Hou Yi volunteered to shoot down the ten suns. Hou Yi managed to kill nine of the ten suns by shooting them down, but the last sun was only injured and lost its wings. It fell to the earth and had to hide itself for fear of being hunted down and killed by Hou Yi.
When this last sun went into hiding, the whole earth fell into complete darkness.
To bring back daylight, the Immortal Phoenix volunteered to find the hiding sun. The Phoenix found the sun and nursed it back to health. However, the sun had lost its wings and could not return to the sky. So the Phoenix took the sun under its wings and flew it across the sky. With the help of the Phoenix, the sun rose again at dawn and set at dusk when the Phoenix brought it back down to its hiding place.
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In superb original condition with no restoration under UV light.
Expected glaze flakes, mushikui, natural bubble bursts.
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Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi - Chongzhen era (1621-44)
A very rare Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kōgō (incense container box and cover) in the form of a byōbu-bako (Japanese folding screen box) painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the cover featuring a waterscape scene with a solitary scholar on a rocky shore by a bamboo hut
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
Measurements
5.7 cm high (inches); 5.5 cm long ( inches) ; 3.7 cm wide (inches)
Description
A Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke incense container and cover in the form of a byōbu-bako 屏風箱 (Japanese folding screen box) painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the cover featuring a waterscape scene with a solitary scholar on a rocky shore by a bamboo hut, each short side decorated with a large flowering hibiscus. One long side of the box painted in Seigaiha pattern (a traditional Japanese auspcious omens motif of 'Blue sea and waves' in which the waves are lapped over alternately). The other long side decorated in a diamond lattice pattern.
A similarly-shaped folding-screen box incense container was highly ranked in the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke (incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In original condition with no restoration under UV light.
Expected minor glaze flakes, mushikui, natural bubble bursts.
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Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi - Chongzhen era (1621-44)
A superbly painted and extremely rare Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container box and cover) in the form of a byobu-bako (Japanese folding screen box) painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue with scenes depicting two men riding bamboo rafts upon Seigaiha water and two wild horses frolicking on the land
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Tianqi period (1621-1627) - Chongzhen period (1627-1644)
Measurements
4.0 cm high; 4.9 cm long; 2.9 cm wide
Description
A Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke incense container and cover in the form of a byōbu-bako 屏風箱 (Japanese folding screen box) painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue with two bellflowers on the top of the cover, a pair of raft riders on water depicted with the Seigaiha pattern (a traditional Japanese auspcious omens motif of 'Blue sea and waves' in which the waves are lapped over alternately) beneath a cloudy sky on one long side, a pair of frolicking horses on the other long side, and wild grass patterns on the short sides. Also called "Ko-sometsuke Doran Kogo".
A similarly-shaped and decorated folding-screen box incense container was highly ranked in the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke (treasured incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
Elegant, old kintsugi (gold) repair to the lid
Expected minor glaze flakes and mushikui to the edges.
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Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, 17th century
A rare 17th century ko-sometsuke square kōgō (incense container box) the slightly domed 'cushion' cover boldly painted with a recumbent ox, the sides with bird-in-trellis pattern
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Measurements
5.5cm long; 3.7cm wide; 5.5cm high
The domed cushion-top hastily painted with a recumbent ox, the four sides decorated with a continuous criss-cross trellis pattern centred by a bird-like design in each diamond opening. The base unglazed, the interior partially glazed.
A highly desirable ko-sometsuke incense container, the plump cushion-top with recumbent ox box was ranked ninth in the west front rank on the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke (treasured incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
Two very similar examples illustrated in Masahiko Kawahara Ko-sometsuke (Kyoto Shoin Co Ltd, Japan) 1977, p.4, images 7 & 8, one from the Yamakawa Bunka Zaidan collection.
Condition
In original condition with no restoration under UV light.
Expected minor glaze flakes, mushikui, natural bubble bursts.
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Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, Tianqi era (1621-27)
A very rare and characterful Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kōgō (incense container box) naturalistically modelled in the form of a comical and slightly curled sho-no-Ebi shrimp boldly decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the sides of the cover and base splashed with fukizumi (blown ink)
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century, Tianqi period (1621-1627)
Measurements
9 cm long (3.5 inches); cm high ( inches)
Description
A delightful Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container) naturalistically modelled in the form of a slightly curled sho-no-Ebishrimp boldly decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the sides of the cover and base splashed with fukizumi (blown-ink technique).
The present example of particularily desirable and very rare form. A similarly-shaped shrimp incense container was ranked in the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke(incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
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Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, 17th century
A rare late Ming Dynasty ko-sometsuke kōgō (incense container box) naturalistically modelled in the form of a plump peach, the moulded stem and leaves boldly decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the sides of the cover and base splashed with fukizumi (blown ink)
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Measurements
6.5cm long; 5.0cm wide; 4.0cm high
Description
A delightful Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke kogo (incense container) naturalistically modelled in the form of a plump peach, the moulded stem and leaves boldly decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the sides of the cover and base splashed with fukizumi (blown-ink technique).
The present example of particularily desirable and rare form. A similarly-shaped peach incense container was ranked in the Katamono-Kogo Banzuke (treasured incense container ranking list published in 1855 - see details below).
The “Katamono Kogo sumo banzuke” published in 1855 was a ranking list produced by tea ceremony Masters, merchants, and connoisseurs from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kanazawa. This chart, which rated legendary Kogo (small lidded containers for incense used in tea ceremonies) was the result of a friendly competitive vote amongst connoisseurs. Many of the Kogo on the list were produced in China for export to Japan and are considered today to be amongst the greatest treasures of tea ceremony implements.
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Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, 17th century
A very rare 17th century ko-sometsuke kōgō (incense container box) naturalistically modelled in the form of a takenoko bamboo shoot, finely decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Measurements
7.0cm high
Description
A highly unusual Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke incense container and cover naturalistically modelled in the form of a bamboo shoot boldly and brilliantly decorated in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the base encircled with dots.
Ko-Sometsuke, meaning "Old Blue and White" is the term used to describe Chinese blue and white porcelain made for the Japanese market during the late Ming Dynasty. Ko-sometsuke wares were produced from the Wanli period (1573-1620) to the Chongzhen period (1628-1644), with the main period of production being the Tianqi period (1621-27). The objects produced were made specifically for the Japanese market, with the shapes and the designs being tailored to the Japanese taste. The shapes created were often expressly made for the Japanese Kaiseki (Tea Ceremony meal) and included mukozuke (small food dishes), kōro (incense burners), and kōgō (small incense containers).
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In very good original condition with one tiny hairline to the top lip of the base. Kiln grit and sand adhesion to the base rim.
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Ko-sometsuke, Jingdezhen kiln, Ming Dynasty, 17th century
A very rare 17th century ko-sometsuke kōgō (incense container box) modelled in the form of two partially folded and overlapping hand-fans, painted in rich tones of underglaze cobalt blue featuring a lakeside scene of a scholar on a rocky shore by a bamboo hut
Ko-sometsuke (Old Blue-and-White) made for the Japanese market
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 17th century
Measurements
7.5 cm long (inches); 6.5 cm wide ( inches) ; 3.5 cm high (inches)
Description
A Chinese porcelain blue and white ko-sometsuke incense container and cover in the form of two overlapping folding hand fans painted in deep tones of underglaze cobalt blue, the cover featuring a waterscape scene of a solitary scholar on a rocky shore by a bamboo hut.
Ko-Sometsuke, meaning "Old Blue and White" is the term used to describe Chinese blue and white porcelain made for the Japanese market during the late Ming Dynasty. Ko-sometsuke wares were produced from the Wanli period (1573-1620) to the Chongzhen period (1628-1644), with the main period of production being the Tianqi period (1621-27). The objects produced were made specifically for the Japanese market, with the shapes and the designs being tailored to the Japanese taste. The shapes created were often expressly made for the Japanese Kaiseki (Tea Ceremony meal) and included mukozuke (small food dishes), kōro (incense burners), and kōgō (small incense containers).
With a traditional Japanese storage box, inner cloths and ribbon.
Condition
In very good condition with minor flaking to the edge.
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