Freshwater Jar (Mizusashi) with the “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove”

White ceramic jar with a blue design. The jar is cylindrical with a wide mouth and a slightly narrow base. A horizontal line encircles the jar near the top. Blue bamboo leaves extend from the left side to the right on the top half. On the bottom half, four men wearing traditional robes and hairstyles are depicted standing and looking at a scroll in the center. A fifth man is bending down to the right. The men are standing on a flat surface. The background of the image is dark gray to light gray.

Artwork Details

Date: second half 18th century
Medium: Porcelain with cobalt blue under transparent glaze; lacquer cover with porcelain knob (Hirado ware)
Culture: Japan
Dimensions: 468 × 624 px
Public Domain: Yes
Museum Record: View original

Palette