Small box in the shape of a double clam shell, resting on two conch shell shaped feet. Light colored, fine stoneware with underglaze blue image of grasses growing around a rock on the inside of the bottom section. The cover inside decorated in underglaze blue and overglaze gold with grasses and orchid, on the outside a decoration in overglaze red and silver of maple leaves floating on a stream.
Signature on the inside of the cover: Satsuma Gyokumeizan Jukatsu sei.
H 2.25 x W 5.25 in.
Cover: One large chip, one very small chip, overglaze silver and red strongly rubbed. Bottom inside: overglaze gold slightly rubbed. Cover and bottom part: underglaze stains
(Togo) Jukatsu was a descendant of one of the roughly 80 Korean potters who were brought to Satsuma (today’s Kagoshima) during the 16th century in order to produce porcelains, something the Japanese could not do themselves at that time. Jukatsu was a successful potter and businessman, selling both to Japanese and to foreigners during the Meiji period. His work is included in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum.
