Four-Legged jar

Inspired by Chinese Yue-ware celadon—similar to the loop-handled jar also on view in this case—as well as eighth-century Japanese three-color ware (Nara sansai), Japanese potters of the ninth century developed lead-based green and olive glazes (ryokuyū). The technique originated north of Kyoto but soon spread to the Sanage kilns in present-day Aichi Prefecture. The growing popularity of these vessels reflected the tastes of the newly established Heian court, which reorganized ceremonial practices in favor of celadon-like tableware. This four-legged jar is a rare and superb example. While Yue celadon prototypes were small in scale, Sanage potters enlarged them to the size of a standard storage jar. This type was often used to hold human remains, and our vessel was likely made for that purpose. Similar works have been preserved in Buddhist temples.