Lit Charcoal and Ash Containers
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1893–1914
Lit Charcoal and Ash Containers — Ceramic, by Seifū Yohei III (Japanese, 1851–1914), made in Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912), dated 1893–1914. The box lid for these six-lobed lit charcoal and ash containers, or <em>hiire</em>, identifies them as <em>kōhakuji</em>, another of Yohei III’s translucent cream colors over ivory clay bodies.
One might translate the name as “lustrous pearl[–glazed ivory] porcelain.” A hiire<em> </em>was filled with ash with burnt coals at the center so that embers and tobacco ash could be discarded safely during a gathering. Each of the lobes on the containers has a round protrusion set below the rim. The studlike pattern is called <em>ruiza</em>. The term is also used to describe the pattern that rings the shoulder of some flower vases or metal kettles used in chanoyu.
Physical description: Set of four containers; porcelain with molded design; height (each): 10 cm (3 15/16 in.); diameter (each): 12 cm (4 3/4 in.).
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Held by Cleveland Museum of Art (object no. 2022.181). The museum record attributes this piece to Seifū Yohei III (Japanese, 1851–1914) in Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912) around 1893–1914. Details beyond the museum's own catalogue entry have not been independently verified.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- height (each): 10 cm (3 15/16 in.); diameter (each): 12 cm (4 3/4 in.)
- Materials techniques
- Set of four containers; porcelain with molded design
Identification
- Source note
- All details come from the object's own museum catalogue record; nothing has been copied from other entries.
- Museum object name
- Ceramic
- Museum object number
- 2022.181
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.