This is a Sometsuke Tokkuri (sake bottle) from Hirashimizu-yaki. Please refrain from purchasing if you are looking for perfection or are overly concerned about minor imperfections, as there are cracks, hairline cracks, and kiln marks. Those who understand and appreciate older items are welcome. About Hirashimizu-yaki: The founding date is unclear, but it is said to have begun in the Bunka era when Ono Tojihei of Hitachi visited Heisenji Temple in Hirashimizu and was welcomed by the chief priest and landowner Niwa Jizaemon. He built a kiln within the grounds of Heisenji Temple. At Heisenji Temple in Hirashimizu, there remain a large ash-glazed incense burner made by Ono Tojihei, the founder of Hirashimizu-yaki, as well as several small dishes with landscape and autumnal grass designs. Tojihei also taught his techniques to the local people, leading to the establishment of many kilns in Hirashimizu. In the "Yamagata Shokushiki Nedage Chousho" of the Tempo 13th year, there are records of Hirashimizu-yaki tea bowls, plates, and sake bottles being traded at general stores in Yamagata Castle town. In the Koka 1st year, Ono Tojihei, along with Ito Tojuro, a large landowner from Iwanami, a neighboring village of Hirashimizu, and Watanabe Gohei of Hirashimizu, succeeded in making porcelain with the technical guidance of Chiyotaro Yamauchi, who was born in Aizu, and Matsuura, who was from Amakusa. Afterwards, they added Jinpei Matsumoto of Hizen, Isuke from Kirikomi in Miyagi Prefecture, and ceramic painters from Okazaki, and the production of porcelain in Hirashimizu developed. The kilns of Hirashimizu were at their peak in the mid-Meiji period, with more than twenty kilns having climbing kilns. During the Meiji era, Okuyama Sanzo, Aida Yasoji, Watanabe Bun'emon, Abe Sotaro, and Takahashi Shichiemon were active at the Sakuma Jiemon kiln and produced many porcelains. Later, Masayama Takahashi, Sadagoro Niwa, and Shinbei Niwa learned techniques in Kyoto, Kutani, and Seto areas, and worked on the production of red-painted ware, thin Sometsuke plates, etc. The Hirashimizu pottery industry, which had flourished until the mid-Meiji period, gradually became difficult to continue producing porcelain due to the wave of "downward goods," which were inexpensive mass-produced items. In order to make the clay body excellent, expenses were required, and they began to use a lower-grade clay to produce Sometsuke natto bowls (thick plates, 24-30 cm in diameter), one-sho sake bottles, water jars, and ceramic bathtubs. Also, to make them look like porcelain, they applied Engobai (white slip) to finish them white, and made small items such as cobalt Sometsuke and stamped patterns, and changed their sales routes to the north, such as Tohoku and Hokkaido. Size: Height approx. 27cm By purchasing immediately, it is assumed that you have agreed to the purchase. Please look at the photos carefully before purchasing to avoid any misunderstandings such as "it's different from what I expected" after purchase. #tokkuri #sake vessels #Edo period #Late Edo period #Meiji period #Tohoku pottery #Folk art #Mingei #Yamagata #Porcelain #Antique