Ritual pourer (1) - Lacquer - Katakuchi, versatoio in lacca con epigrafia - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)

Negoro lacquered items were produced in Negoro-ji, the most important temple of the Buddhist sect Shinai Shingon for both everyday use and for rituals. A very important element of negoro lacquer is summed up by what the Japanese call a wabi aesthetic, or the absence of excessive ornamentation which may compromise the functionality of the items; on the contrary the traces of wear and even small defects are appreciated. In fact the structure of these lacquers makes it so the red layer wears away with use, leaving the black lacquer underneath, as testimony of the long life of the object. Pourers were produced in many different shapes, according to their purpose, but the circular ones with a spout were usually used to serve sake. The pourer has an epigraph inscription in red lacquer on the back.