The surface of this small teapot is gorgeous with colored paintings, gold and brocade, and many designs such as “sho-chiku-bai” (pine, bamboo and plum), “folded paper crane” and “auspicious clouds” are drawn. In particular, since the design of “sho-chiku-bai” is placed in the center, this work seems to be an item to show the prominence.

size: width (longest) about 11.9cm,　height about 7cm

The three panels are filled with “sho-chiku-bai” and folded paper cranes and auspicious clouds are drawn around panels. The “sho-chiku-bai” itself is painted in colorful paints and gold, and surrounded by folded paper cranes and auspicious clouds, so the whole is brilliantly expressed.

When holding the teapot, the gorgeousness of the brocade pattern that decorates the lid would be felt, and a character “ju” (寿long life) in gold like a pattern is written on the handle.

小さな蓋の摘みとその周りが金襴手で加飾され、ここにも瑞雲が飛びかい、細かなところまで飾られています。

The back name is written as “九谷kutani 清閑Sheikan” in the back corner of the lid. Because of a teapot, when the lid is removed, the name seems to be written in a way that makes it look casual.

creator of the work

Shimizu Seikan  清水　清閑  born in 1835, died in 1921

Shimizu Seikan was one of the master craftsmen who was active since the early Meiji period. It is said that he was involved in the production of works at Fujioka Iwahana-do kiln (藤岡岩花堂opened in 1880) while he early opened a kutani store in Kanazawa in 1876.

Shimizu Seikan sometimes made vases for export with a height of several tens of centimeters, which drew in detail Chinese-style figures and mountain waters. Also he made small works for the domestic market. All were works with fine pictures.

In his later years, he closed the store and continued to make small works because he had no one to take over the store.