Inkstone in the Form of a Koto

1600s

The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States

This hollow ink stone shaped like a musical instrument called a <em>koto</em> 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.

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Details

Title: Inkstone in the Form of a Koto
Date Created: 1600s
Physical Dimensions: Overall: 4.4 x 19.2 x 7 cm (1 3/4 x 7 9/16 x 2 3/4 in.)
Provenance: Rosanjin Collection; Kaneda Kaichiro; Kuroda Toen.
Type: Ceramic
Rights: CC0
External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1971.168
Medium: Stoneware with underglaze iron decoration (Shino ware, Mino type)
Department: Japanese Art
Culture: Japan, Momoyama period (1573-1615) to Edo period (1615-1858)
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Stone
Collection: Japanese Art
Accession Number: 1971.168

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Ceramic Clay Iron Metal Percussion Rock Stoneware