Teabowl with “Hare’s-Fur” Glaze
Not on view
First opened in the twelfth century as part of the expansion of the Japanese ceramic industry, the kilns at Seto, which were among the first to use glazes, often made bowls for the tea ceremony. The glaze on this piece, which resembles rabbit fur, was introduced by Buddhist monks who brought such ceramics home to Japan. There it is known as tenmoku, after the Japanese reading of Mount Tianmu, an important Buddhist center in China.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.