A Ko-Echizen ware jar fired around the Azuchi-Momoyama period. It was used for Ohaguro, the traditional practice of blackening teeth in Japan. The piece features a unique form that combines ruggedness with litheness and a small, tightened mouth. The glaze, initially matte, has acquired a deep, natural lustre from years of inheriting, while the rough, unglazed areas have become smooth. This piece exudes a rustic yet solemn presence, evoking the aged beauty of Buddhist sculptures darkened by incense smoke.

The jar’s two shoulder handles appear to have been chipped long ago, then restored with lacquer, blending beautifully integrated over time. Other aged chips add to its historical charm, blending seamlessly into the piece’s weathered texture.