Magnificent Japanese Arita Porcelain Dish

Late Meiji-Early Taisho Era (1900-1920).

This beautiful blue and white Arita dish is of typical concave, circular form. Resting on a short foot rim, it has been decorated in cobalt blue underglaze and depicts three boats laden with rice bales, with two of the vessels bearing the figures of Daikoku and Ebisu. The reverse of the piece has been further embellished with a mass of Karakusa above a lappet band, and the base bears a spurious Chinese reign mark "Da Ming Chenghua nien hao" (Made in the reign of the Great Ming emperor Chenghua). Ceramic spurs from the firing process are scattered across the mark.

"Daikoku and Ebisu are two of the Shichifukjin (Seven Gods of Good Fortune). Ebisu was regarded as the god of prosperity and commercial success. He is also often characterized as the patron saint of fishermen, hence the large carp that he holds. Daikoku is the patron saint of cooks and farmers. The image of three vessels carrying copious quantities of rice is emblematic of prosperity and plenty.
It is probable that this dish was one of a set of four with the entire "cast" of the Seven Lucky Gods being depicted at various pursuits across the set."*

Measurements: 16.75" by 3.25"

Condition: Excellent vintage. Some occasional glazing flaws. Also some extremely light abrasions to the glazed surface -only visible when viewing the dish from a particular angle - but this is to be expected from a dish that would have been used to serve food.

Found by the Wandering Poetess in Connecticut.


* Thank you to the expert at ValueMyStuff who helped me identify this piece correctly.