Inkstone in the Form of a Koto

Description

This hollow ink stone shaped like a musical instrument called a koto reflects the witty idea that music can inspire writing. The koto’s string and bridge were incised into the clay and then painted with underglaze iron pigment.

Provenance

Rosanjin Collection; Kaneda Kaichiro; Kuroda Toen.

Inkstone in the Form of a Koto

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1600s

Accession Number

1971.168

Medium

Stoneware with underglaze iron decoration (Shino ware, Mino type)

Dimensions

Overall: 4.4 x 19.2 x 7 cm (1 3/4 x 7 9/16 x 2 3/4 in.)

Classification

Ceramic

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Stone