It is said that a great number of the famous kettles made for the tea ceremony were produced either in Tenmyo, near Sano in Tochigi prefecture, or in Ashiya, near Fukuoka in Kyushu. Although the tips of the flanges have been broken off, this work beautifully retains the refined form of the Shinnari type kettle. The neck is slightly tapered at the base, the ears are in the form of devil masks, and joined circles cover the body from the base of the rim to the tip of the flanges in an orderly pattern. Compared to the Shinnari type kettle in our collection with a design of two of the Deities of Good Fortune, this Ashiya kettle is a little smaller in size, but with a dignified, commanding presence.