12. Oribe water bowl (katakuchi)

12. Oribe water bowl (katakuchi) 

Coarse gray clay, glazed in grey, green, and brown; bottom left unglazed. Weight: 288 g (10 oz). Rim diameter: 13 cm (5 in); base diameter: 7 cm (2-3/4 in). Height: 5.2 cm (2 in). Spout: about 2.5 cm (1 in) at widest point; about 2 cm (3/4 in) long. 

This is a katakuchi  (Japanese: 片口), literally, “mouth on the side,” i.e., a bowl with a pouring spout. It is used to add water in small increments to another container, for example, when preparing ink for calligraphy.

The spout area has been dipped in green glaze. The design element on the bottom of the bowl is a sprig of pine drawn in dark brown glaze with a brush.

According to a card prepared by the vendor of this item, it dates from the late nineteenth century. This does show signs of wear. The foot of the bowl is chipped, and there is a hairline crack on the inside of the bowl. It may not date from the nineteenth century, but it has seen plenty of use.

Purchased at the Japan Trade Center in San Francisco in the late 1980s or early 1990s.