Nabeshima ware - Nabeshima ware

A representative porcelain kiln and its products from the Edo period. It was the official kiln (han kiln) of the Nabeshima Domain of Hizen Province (Saga Prefecture), which owned Imari ware. It is said that the first lord of the domain, Katsushige, designated the Iwayagawachi kiln in Arita Town as the domain kiln in 1628 (Kan'ei 5), and it is said that it was moved to Minamikawara in the same town in 1661 (Kanbun 1), but there is no definite proof of either. The kiln site became clear after it moved to Nihonyanagi Okawachi in Imari City, which is generally considered to be a third-period kiln, and pottery fragments excavated from the kiln site clearly show that it was made slightly before the Genroku period (1688-1704).

Nabeshima Kiln's main focus was to produce high-quality items to be presented to nobles, so they ignored profitability and instead selected raw materials under strict style control. They used superb techniques to produce many plates with overglaze, blue and white porcelain, and celadon, but their overglaze plates are especially renowned and known as Iro Nabeshima. The plates are simply circular, wooden cup-shaped, and come in a variety of diameters, from one foot, seven inches, five inches, and three inches. The recesses are decorated with unique and unparalleled patterns, establishing a stylized beauty of pure Japanese-style porcelain. The beautifully regulated style is the product of a feudal kiln, and it adheres to aestheticism untainted by vulgarity, and is noble and elegant, embodying the essence of refined Edo culture. The golden age of the kiln was during the Genroku period, and it continued to exist throughout the Edo period, but in 1871 (Meiji 4), when the feudal domain was abolished and prefectures were established, the feudal domain's business came to an end and it was transferred to the private sector. Famous works include the "Colored chrysanthemum and hibiscus plate," "Colored peach plate," and "Colored pine, bamboo, plum and tachibana bottle," all designated as Important Cultural Properties.

[Yoshiaki Yabe]

"The Genealogy of Hizen Ceramics" by Takeshi Nagatake (1974, Meishu Publishing) " Yoshiaki Yabe, "Treasures of Japanese Art 26: Blue and White Porcelain and Overglaze Porcelain" (1980, Shogakukan)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸時代の代表的な磁器窯およびその製品。伊万里(いまり)焼を領有していた肥前(ひぜん)国（佐賀県）鍋島藩の御用窯（藩窯）。初代藩主勝茂(かつしげ)が1628年（寛永5）に有田(ありた)町の岩屋川内(いわやがわち)窯を藩窯に指定したと伝え、その後61年（寛文1）同町の南川原(なんがわら)に移ったとされるが、いずれも確証はない。窯跡が明らかなのは、一般に第三期の窯とされている伊万里市二本柳大川内(おおかわち)に移ってからであり、窯跡出土陶片から元禄(げんろく)年間（1688～1704）を少しさかのぼる時期には明確にその実像をつかむことができる。

　鍋島窯は、貴紳に献上する優品の焼造を主眼としたため、採算を度外視して、厳格な様式統制のもとに原料を精選し、超絶した技巧を駆使して色絵、染付(そめつけ)、青磁などの多くの皿を焼いたが、とりわけ色絵は色鍋島と称して声価が高い。形は単純な木盃(もくはい)形の円形皿で、径の大きさは一尺、七寸、五寸、三寸と多様である。見込(みこみ)には独創無比な文様を描き込み、純和様磁器の様式美を樹立した。みごとに整った様式規制は藩窯ならではの所産であり、卑俗に染まらぬ唯美主義を貫き、高貴にして典雅を極め、洗練された江戸文化の粋を結集した観がある。元禄年間が黄金時代で、江戸時代を通じて窯は存続したが、1871年（明治4）の廃藩置県により藩の事業は終え、その後は民間に移された。重要文化財に指定されている「色絵菊芙蓉(きくふよう)図皿」「色絵桃(もも)図皿」「色絵松竹梅橘文瓶子(たちばなもんへいし)」などが著名である。

［矢部良明］

『永竹威著『肥前陶磁の系譜』（1974・名著出版）』▽『矢部良明著『名宝日本の美術26　染付と色絵磁器』（1980・小学館）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例