Tsubo / Echizen / Fujita Jurouemon
Echizen Tsubo by Fujita Jurouemon
Echizen is the old regional name where Echizen pottery is made, Fukui prefecture. The style became active in the Heian period(794-1192). Echizen is not as well-known as its Bizen or Shigaraki cousins for the trade routes and bitter winters kept them distant from the rest of Japan. Few real Echizen potters exist today. One is Fujita Jurouemon(1922-). He's an eighth generation potter taking that designation in 1967. His coil forming method is legendary here and that makes his tsubo-jars the most favored. Here is a classic medieval looking Echizen tsubo made by this Echizen Intangible Cultural Property. It was facing the fury of the kiln and has a deep, toasty brown, rough surface with ash drips all along the front. The ash built up at the base and it appears Fujita had to unfuse the tsubo from the kiln shelve. A slight lean gives it great character. As does the beautiful clay flavor of dark purples along the sides and back. A light green ash is on the back and Fujita has taken the kanji for ten--ju---and etched it on the back; it could also be a 'hidden cross.' A very fine piece and the first Fujita I've ever come across. Perfect condition with a signed box; 27.3cm.tall and 32.0cm.across. This marks the last piece I shall upload for this year. I thank all of you who have looked at my site and I look for your continued support next year.I shall continue to locate better works to assist you in creating a fine Japanese pottery collection. A thousand domos from Japan!
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