Chatsubo (Tea Jar) - Porcelain - Ogata Shuhei (1788–1839) - Tomkinson Collection - Japan - Mid Edo period

Chatsubo (Tea Jar) in Kyoto Porcelain, decorated with sages in gold and polychrome enamels
"Kengetsu-shitsu" (乾月室) Kiln, attributed to Ogata Shuhei (1788–1839)
Japan, Edo period, late 18th – early 19th century

A rare and finely executed Kyoto porcelain chatsubo (tea storage jar), decorated in rich polychrome enamels and extensive gilding, depicting elegant scholars and sages in a landscape setting. The refined painting and luxurious use of gold reflect the high level of Kyoto kiln production associated with the "Kengetsu-shitsu" (乾月室) Kiln.

The wall has a continuous inscription reading:
Kōto Kiyomizu tōkō Shōgetsu shitsu Ogata Shůhei zō kore' 皇都清水陶工松月室尾形周平造之.

This Chatsubo was made by the renowned Ogata family of potters from Kyoto’s Kiyomizu district, this piece bears the Kengetsu-shitsu (乾月室) studio mark. The lineage, most notably the 5th generation Shūhei (a graduate of the Kyoto City University of Arts), is celebrated for restoring the refined aesthetic of "Ko-Kiyomizu" (Old Kiyomizu ware).

Ogata Shuhei (1788–1839) is highly regarded for his versatility in traditional styles, including Ninsei-utsushi (polychrome enamels), Shonzui-sometsuke (fine blue and white porcelain), and Koryo-utsushi. Specializing in high-end tea ceremony utensils (chatsubo, chawan, kaigu) and kaiseki ware, Shūhei’s work is characterized by delicate brushwork and is frequently exhibited at prestigious museums.

Provenance:

From the prestigious Michael A. Tomkinson Collection, as indicated by the original inventory label on the base, numbered 304. (A seemingly unrelated square label with 455 is included inside).

Michael Tomkinson (1841–1921) was a prominent British collector whose extensive and highly influential Japanese collection was assembled during the late 19th century. His collection formed one of the earliest major European groupings of Japanese art and ceramics, and was widely studied and published in A Japanese Collection (1898). Many objects from his collection are now held in major international institutions, reflecting its historical importance in the Western appreciation of Japanese art.

This tea jar is recorded in Tomkinson’s publication on page 97, entry no. 304, with the signature also referenced as signature no. 47 on page 102, confirming its inclusion in the original curated collection.
https://archive.org/details/japanesecollect2tomk/mode/2up

Comparable works by Ogata Shuhei (1788–1839) are held in major museum collections, including Kyoto National Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, as well as the Cernuschi Museum (Paris), which preserves related Kyoto enamel-decorated ceramics of similar style and period.

https://knmdb.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/list.html?at=search%2Flist&s1=Ogata+Shuhei&
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/47419
https://asia.si.edu/explore-art-culture/collections/search/edanmdm:fsg_F1898.130/

Dimensions:
H8 x W6 cm

Condition:
Overall in good condition with minor wear and some enamel loss. The rim has two polished chips. There is no lid included.

Please examine the images carefully. Small imperfections and kiln-related flaws are not always described in detail. The written condition report is indicative only; the photographs provide the definitive and binding description of the item’s condition.

Shipping:
The items will be securely packaged and shipped with insurance.