A Chinese Jian 'Hare's Fur' Glazed Stoneware Tea Bowl

Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279)

南宋建窯兔毫盞
of conical form, the steep walls rising to an indentation at the rim, all cloaked in an unctuous glazed rippling with characteristic 'hare's fur' streaks of russet and mossy tones, settling about the foot with a dark ribbon to reveal the ruddy stoneware body beneath.

Diameter 5 in., 12.7 cm.

Property from the Estate of Makoto Sakurai, thence by descent

櫻井誠（1926-2021）藏中日瓷雜古玩。

櫻井先生是前三菱重工北美大區主席，兩年前95歲高齡去世，受其女委托，上拍生前所蓄中日瓷器、雜項與家具。櫻井先生出身於本州岛根县奥出云町的武士家族，江戶時代以鍛刀爲業，慢慢發展為當地九大鋼鐵製造業商之一。櫻井誠早年喜愛文藝，但他成長的年月正值二戰，不得不參軍，被分配到機械工程部門，參與研發了著名的零式战斗机（海軍馬鹿的主力戰鬥機，也是日本海軍的象徵，代表了二戰前日本航空工业的最高水准）。

戰後，因爲與三菱的深度合作，櫻井先生出任三菱重工北美大區副總裁，后升任主席。櫻井誠晚年長居紐約，以養馬和藏瓷爲樂，為心愛的瓷器繪有手稿記錄，詳見拍品大圖。

Makoto SAKURAI (1926-2021) was lifelong lover of the arts and nature, prolific watercolor and oil painter, porcelain collector, and horse breeder. Born in Japan one of four sons and one daughter of Toyokuro and his wife, Shito. The Sakurai were an esteemed samurai family involved in iron production for the making of swords in the Okuizumo region of Shimane Prefecture during the Edo Period. They became one of nine samurai families that controlled iron production for the domain.

Little is known of Makoto’s early life other than it was here in Japan that is love of nature and the arts blossomed. When Makoto came of age, he joined the Japanese military Academy as a candidate for the cavalry. Though he unfortunately lacked the requisite riding skills he more than made up for it with creativity and ingenuity and was soon transferred to the engineering corps. During World War II Makoto worked closely with the Mitsubishi cooperation on the A6M Zero, a long-range carrier-based fighter aircraft and considered to have been the most capable carrier-based fighter in the world when it was introduced early in the war. After the war, and thanks in no small part to the relationship he developed with Mitsubishi, Makoto Joined the corporation and was soon after promoted to Vice President and head of Mitsubishi North America. Makoto relocated to New York, married his wife Michele and spent the remainder of his life raising his daughter Monica and continuing to build his collection of earthenware, porcelain, artwork, and handmade wooden furniture from China and Japan.

Having a restoration to the rim, minor surface scratches and wear.

Additional photos are updated prior to the sale via this link (https://asian.smugmug.com/Sale-1225). Please contact us to request a complete condition report.

We advise all buyers to carefully examine the condition of the lots before the auction and be responsible for their bids. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Please note that measurements and opinions are given as a courtesy and are approximated. Bidders must review and agree to the Conditions of Sale before participating in an auction. Please contact the department at asian@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

品相细图见链接 (https://asian.smugmug.com/Sale-1225)，品相报告请联系我们索取。为感谢您的参与，我们出于礼貌提供拍品尺寸和品相建议。图录中未说明品相的拍品并不等没有磨损、瑕疵、老化或其他问题，建议买家于拍前自行检查。落槌无悔，请对您的竞拍行为负责。也请所有竞拍者提前仔细阅读并签署竞拍意向书，如有有其他问题，请邮件asian@hindmanauctions.com 咨询亚洲艺术部（中英皆可）。

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email asian@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Annie Wu

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Asian Art

anniewu@freemansauction.com 312.447.3260

Ms. Wu joined the firm in 2014, after working as a specialist in the Asian Works of Art Department of an East Coast auction house. She researches, appraises, and sells Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and South East Asian works of art, including jades, bronzes, ceramics, paintings, armor, and furniture. Throughout her career, Ms. Wu has achieved record prices for several prominent estates and collections, including the Estate of Frank G. Mertes, Sr., Winona, Minnesota; the Chinese Painting Collection of Ms. Yuan Jiaying and Mr. Li Guoyuan, Chicago; the Estate of Hisazo Nagatani, Chicago, and the Asian Art Collection deaccessioned from the Strong Museum of Play, Rochester, New York.