Hanging flower vase (hana ike) c. mid 19th century

This is a hanging flower vase by Ōtagaki Rengetsu, made in Japan out of stoneware. Ōtagaki Rengetsu was a Buddhist nun, poet, calligrapher, and potter. Born into a samurai family, she experienced significant social upheaval following the Meiji Restoration, which dismantled Japan’s feudal system and with it, the samurai class. During this period, many women turned to religious life, including Rengetsu, who was widowed and entered the Buddhist priesthood. Rengetsu is particularly known for combining calligraphy and poetry with her ceramic work. The poems inscribed on this vase reflect themes of nature and impermanence. Her unique approach challenged traditional gender roles within Japanese art, which often excluded women from certain artistic practices, particularly in the realm of ceramics. Rengetsu’s life experiences and deep understanding of Buddhist principles shaped her art, infusing each piece with a sense of contemplation and profound connection to the world. We can see how her spiritual and personal identity is inseparable from her artistic expression.