Blue-and-white porcelain pot with Chinese poem on tea

This large porcelain teapot was used for holding bancha (coarse tea) or hōjicha (roasted green tea). On the upper part of the body is a tea poem once read by the Chinese poet Lu Tong (?－835) of Tang Dynasty who is revered in the world of sencha (green tea) culture. On the lower part are Chinese figures depicted to be enjoying drinking sencha. It has been confirmed that this type of earthenware teapot with such designs were the works of Kyoto potter, Nin’ami Dōhachi (1783－1855) . Izushi ware incorporated the styles of Kyoto Ware.