Yuezhou Celadon Ewer

This Chinese ewer, in perfect condition, was owned by one of Japan’s leading aristocratic clans, the Fujiwara, over a millennium ago. It was later excavated from an Uji tea field located on the site of the Fujiwara family burial temple, built in 1005. By that time, the importation of Chinese goods had slowed—Japan stopped sending envoys to Tang China in 894. This celadon ewer must have been a precious heirloom buried in the family tomb.

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.