The reverse is simply decorated with underglaze blue kanji characters, and the base is marked with a blue mark character that says “deer” framed within a diamond. There is a hole at the base of the cask which once held a plug, and a metal carrying handle wrapped in bamboo has been fitted into the two porcelain loops on the top. Horizontal and vertical rope designs have been molded in high relief to simulate an actual straw-wrapped keg. A porcelain stopper molded in rope form has a cork lining to hold it securely in place. It is rare to find these casks with the original porcelain tops intact. See similar barrel form porcelain casks illustrated in Figure 123 of the article “Tokkuri and Friends” which appeared in ARTS OF ASIA magazine, January/February 1995.

This porcelain cask has been molded to resemble the straw-wrapped cypress kegs (“komokaburi”) used for transporting sake, with high relief molded “ropes” to hold the molded “straw wrapping” in place. During the Edo period, rural sake brewers needed a method of transporting their brew to the large cities. These large porcelain casks could be carried on pack horses or transported on special ships called “taru kaisen” or cask ships. Until the 1940’s, they continued to be used to dispense draft sake in shops. Customers would come into the shop with their own smaller ceramic bottles and have them refilled with their favorite brand. These large casks are handsome decorative items that make an appealing accent to any décor, either by themselves or recycled into lamps.

CONDITION is excellent, with normal wear and staining consistent with age and considerable usage. Old star hairline crack on base which is not unusual on these heavy casks due to the way they were set on the ground. DIMENSIONS: 12 ½” (31.8 cm) high, 10” (25.5 cm) diameter. Weight: 13 pounds (6 kg).