Momoyama-Edo Period Shin-gata Kama (Kettle) by Ashiya

This is a genuine Ashiya Shin-gata kettle, perfected by the 13th generation Kanchi Miyazaki.
It features a wide mouth and a strongly curved body, characteristic of Ashiya kettles, with a beautiful overall shape.
The oni-men (demon face) handles are broad and have a formidable expression, possessing a unique Ashiya beauty distinct from that of a kettle craftsman.

Remarkably, the kettle weighs only about 2 kilograms.
While Ashiya kettles are known for their thin construction, the technique of creating such a thin kettle, typically weighing around 4 kilograms, is exceptional.

As it does not have wings, it is a versatile kettle usable throughout the year.
We filled it with water for a while, and no leaks were detected.

The inscription of perfection is as follows:
Shin-gata Kettle
1. Mouth width: 4 sun 1 bu 1/2
2. Body diameter: 7 sun 2 bu
   Handles: Oni-men
This is a genuine Ashiya-made piece without doubt.
Kettle craftsman, 13th generation, Kanchi Miyazaki

Dimensions (approximate, with slight errors):
Body diameter: approx. 22 cm (excluding handles)
Weight: 2.1 kg

[Ashiya Kettle]
Kettles cast in what is now Ashiya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, from the Kamakura period to the early Edo period.
During the Muromachi period, they were primarily used as gifts and favored by aristocrats and samurai. However, production ceased in the early Edo period due to factors such as the fall of the Ouchi clan and the rise of Wabi-cha.
The craftsmen dispersed to various regions like Hakata, Ise, Iyo, and Echizen, leading to the creation of new tea ceremony kettles known as Waki Ashiya.

In those days, they were called kansu rather than kama and were distinct from the kama used in Wabi-cha.
Although temporarily forgotten with the popularity of Wabi-cha, their beauty was re-evaluated from the Edo period onwards, and they have since been treasured as tea ceremony kettles.
Especially before the war, large-scale collections were made primarily by tea practitioners from the business world, and most of these are now housed in museums, making it rare for Ashiya Shin-gata kettles to appear on the market.

★This item has been collected and stored by an individual, so there are signs of age-related deterioration, scratches, and rust.
Please examine the photos carefully to make your judgment.
★We have not conducted any additional appraisals. Please understand this in advance.
★If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask.

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