Vintage Japanese Karatsu-Yaki Studio Pottery Teacup by Nakazato (Muan) Tarouemon XII

Dimensions: 3-1/4”h x 5” dia.

This is a Karatsu-Yaki Sake Cup by Nakazato (Muan) Tarouemon XII, (who held the esteemed position of the twelfth generation of master potters in the Nakazato family, a lineage steeped in centuries of creative pottery craftsmanship.) It was purchased at the Nakazato family kiln, (kama), in Karatsu, on the southern Island of Kyushu. Karatsu ware (called Karatsu yaki) is a form of porcelain produced in the Saga and Nagasaki prefectures.  During the Meiji period (1868-1912), the number of Karatsu ware kilns continued to decrease, but the craft was brought back by Muan NAKAZATO (1895-1985), an artist with the title of Living National Treasure for which his family continued the tradition of fine Karatsu-Yaki pottery. 

This beautiful, classic-shaped teacup has a warm white and brown glaze, in which the brown feathers decorate around the lip extending onto both the interior and exterior surface. The bottom is unglazed and shows the “three-dot” mark, (Kamajirushi). No Kiriwood box.

During feudal Japan, trades that enjoyed special favors from feudal lords and shoguns held esteemed status. In the Nakazato family, it was customary for the child inheriting the trade to adopt not only the family surname but also the unchanged given name of the father. The Nakazato clan, renowned for their prowess in pottery, received patronage from successive feudal lords of Karatsu, thus maintaining the tradition of passing down both the family and given names.

The Toroemon Lineage:

I. Matashichi d. 1663; II. Toremon d. 1670; III. Jin’emon d. 1703; IV. Toremon d. 1744; V. Kiheiji d 1757; VI. Toremon d. 1787; VII. Toji d. 1811; VIII. Toremon d. 1817; IX. Shohei d. 1825; X. Totaro d. 1892; XI. Tenyu. d. 1924; XII. Taroemon (Muan) d. 1985; XIII. Taroemon (Houan); XIV. Taroemon. 

It was through the great efforts of Taroeman XIi, (designated a Living National Treasure in 1976) that Karatsu regained its popularity in modern times, for the style suffered a long decline during the 18th and 19th centuries owing to the loss of official clan patronage, the onslaught of foreign ways, and declining interest in Tea during the Meiji Period.

Condition: Excellent, original condition, and retains the original craft/workmanship. There is no discoloration, chipping/cracking, surface wear, or structural damage. This along with several other pieces were purchased in 2003 at the Karashiki Kiln Shop where the Nakazato family worked.