Mino Ware, Shino type, Momoyama-Edo Period (Early 17th century)

This deep bowl for serving food at a tea event is a classic example of early Painted Shino-type Mino ware. The picture of crane and reeds is framed by a cat fish, bamboo and leaf, all drawn in quick, painterly strokes. The design was painted onto the unfired white body with a pigment made from iron and manganese that turned a deep brown once fired. Three small loop feet were applied to the base. The five spur marks visible on the base indicate that the bowl was raised to prevent the feet from sticking to another vessel or to the kiln furniture itself. The vessel was covered with a thick, glossy feldspathic glaze and fired in a single-chamber kiln.
Grasses and landscape vignettes are typical of Painted Shino and are perceived as having a Japanese character. Recent scholarship suggests, however, that Mino potters were emulating popular imported Chinese blue and white porcelains.