Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

In the mid 19th century, the feudal shogunate ruling Japan was abolished and a modernised government was established. As part of an effort to open up Japan to the West after a long period of national isolation, the new Meiji government actively encouraged artists to show their works in competitive, national and international Exhibitions.

This grand vase was made by the potter Miyagawa Kōzan (Makuzu) (1842-1916) who was one of the most prominent Japanese artists of this era. He won several prizes when exhibiting his works in national and international Exhibitions, and was greatly admired in Japan and abroad. Although Kōzan also produced ceramic works using earthenware and stoneware, this vase is an example of his works in porcelain, for which he is most famous. The vase was probably made for an exhibition and illustrates the artistic exchanges of the period. Although the landscape shown is a Japanese one, the misty effect of the blue glaze copies works from the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory. This Danish company was itself greatly influenced by Japanese ceramics.

Kōzan’s work can be dated stylistically, as well as by differences in the seal-marks he used at various times. It is therefore usually possible to put his works in sequence and see developments in style and technique over time throughout his career.