Japanese Glazed Porcelain Yatate

This is a Japanese glazed porcelain Yatate from the mid-1800s. The Yatate was a traveling scribe’s or artist’s case, with an inkwell at one end and a long shaft for holding writing tools and brushes. The white porcelain has a simple blue decoration along the top of the shaft and on top of the inkwell. Under the shaft one sees where the Yatate was fired and has no glaze in a small area.

In Yatates, the ink was held by a small piece of absorbent material, such as a cotton or silk cloth, placed inside the bulbous end. This cloth would be soaked with ink, allowing the user to dip their brush or pen into it without the ink spilling out. This method made it convenient to carry ink while traveling, as it prevented leaks and ensured a steady supply of ink for writing.