Tea Storage Jar (chatsubo)

This large jar with two loop lugs on the shoulders is covered with a black glaze and white glaze of dripped stripes (nagashi-gusuri), which creates a striking effect. The asymmetry of its silhouette is due to the difficulty of controlling the shape in the coil construction technique used to make such massive jars. It was built up in several stages, as is apparent from the bulges visible on the body. This type of large jar was made for tea shops, where tea leaves were stored and sold.