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Description

Rectangular form of fine white porcelain: vertical sides first swell from low unglazed foot, then incurve slightly at rim; indented corners. Pattern: divided diagonally from point near upper right corner to point near lower left corner; area to left glazed in glossy red-brown, which wraps from the inside over the outside surface to top of foot; area to right painted in underglazed blue with a landform supporting a composition of bamboo, pine, and prunus, with a cloud form above; on each of the two adjacent outside surfaces a motif of two cash with ribbons in underglaze blue; all shapes rendered with dark blue outlines filled with light blue washes; all covered in a minutely pitted white glaze. On glazed base, well rendered underglaze blue characters read "Dai men nen sai" meaning "Made in the Ming Dynasty" (Chinese dynasty, 1368-1644). Junction between brown and white glazes marred in one place by narrow grey-brown band; in cloud area at upper right corner, extensive repair.

Cultural Context

food service

Iconographic Meaning

The prunus or plum is a Chinese symbol for winter and is often grouped with the bamboo and pine as a joint symbol for the season, known as 'the three friends' because they stay green in winter weather. All three also stand for longevity.

History Of Use

Arita is a general geographical term for a group of kilns producing distinctive styles of ware, for example Kakiemon, Old Imari, and Nabeshima among others. Japanese porcelain was first produced in the area early in the 17th century. Many pieces were shipped from the nearby port of Imari and are often referred to under that name. Some products are simply known as Arita Ware, of which this dish is an example. There was a strong influence in design from Chinese sources, and an inclination to honour Chinese masters by apocryphal use of reign marks, as in this case. The asymmetrical use of the combination of a blue and white underglaze design with a plain glaze is, however, purely in Japanese taste.