Japan

Room 13

Ceramics and cloisonné 陶器と七宝

Case 2

Nabeshima-style porcelain 鍋島様式磁器

The porcelain intended for the use of the lords of Nabeshima鍋島, from the domain of Saga 佐賀藩 (Kyûshû), also offered as gifts to the shôgun and his entourage, is distinguished by the extremely high quality of the materials used and its refined decoration. The kilns, set up since the early 17th century in Arita, were moved around 1670 slightly to the north, to Okawachi大川内. Their production consisted mainly of deep dishes, set on a high foot, and decorated with a combination of celadon and underglaze blue, or polychrome enamels. Made in several standard sizes, corresponding to diameters of one shaku (c. 30 cms), seven sun (c. 21 cms), five sun (c. 15 cms), or three sun (9 cms), these dishes were decorated with good luck emblems, plant motifs, or symbolic or literary references. The height of Nabeshima production lasted from 1675 to 1720, although pieces in the same style continue to be made to the present day.

  1. Large dish (one shaku) 色絵色大皿

    Arita or Ôkawachi kilns 大川内か有田焼

    Chrysanthemum and brushwood hedges in the snow 紫垣菊文雪景

    Edo period, late 17th or early 18th century 江戸初~中期 (17世紀末~18世紀初)

    CB-CJ-1932-47

  2. Small dish (five sun) 色絵五寸皿

    Arita or Ôkawachi kilns 大川内か有田焼

    Camellia on a diaper ground 椿花繋文

    Edo period, late 17th century 江戸初~中期 (17世紀末)

    CB-CJ-1933-48

  3. Large dish (one shaku) 色絵大皿

    Ôkawachi kilns 大川内焼

    Kerria japonica and rocks 岩に山吹図

    Edo period, early 18th century 江戸初~中期 (18世紀初)

    CB-CJ-1933-49
  4. Large dish (one shaku) 色絵大皿

    Ôkawachi kilns 大川内焼

    Auspicious emblems on a ground of wavelets 青海波宝尽文

    Edo period, early 18th century 江戸初~中期 (18世紀初)

    CB-CJ-1932-53
  5. Medium-sized dish (seven sun) 色絵七寸皿

    Ôkawachi kilns 大川内焼

    Lady and folded screen 秋草屏風

    Edo period, 18th century 江戸初~中期 (18世紀)

    CB-CJ-1934-57

  6. Medium dish (seven sun) 色絵七寸皿

    Ôkawachi kilns 大川内焼

    Woven bamboo design 組亀甲文

    Edo period, early 18th century 江戸初~中期 (18世紀初)

    CB-CJ-1932-52
  7. Medium-sized dish (seven sun) 色絵七寸皿

    Ôkawachi kilns 大川内焼

    Wisteria on a trellis 藤棚図

    Edo period, early or mid 18th century 江戸初~中期 (18世紀前半)

    CB-CJ-1932-51

  8. Small dish (five sun) 色絵五寸皿

    Ôkawachi kilns 大川内焼

    Wagtails with water chestnut and other aquatic plants 青海波鶺鴒図

    Edo period, 18th century 江戸初~中期 (18世紀)

    CB-CJ-1932-54
  9. Large dish (one shaku) 色絵大皿

    Probably Kutani kilns 九谷焼

    Wagtails with water chestnut and other aquatic plants 青海波鶺鴒図

    Late 19th or early 20th century 明治~大正時代

    CB-CJ-1938-114

  10. Medium-sized dish (seven sun) 色絵七寸皿

    Probably Kutani kilns 九谷焼

    Peonies and rocks 岩牡丹図

    Late 19th or early 20th century 明治~大正時代

    CB-CJ-1933-115

  11. Medium-sized dish (seven sun) 色絵七寸皿

    Arita kilns 有田焼

    Auspicious emblems 宝尽文

    1920-1930   1920-1930年

    CB-CJ-1934-118

  12. Sake bottle 色絵

    Unknown kiln 未知焼

    Grape vine 葡萄文

    Early 20th century 明治後期~大正時代

    CB-CJ-1932-119

  13. Medium-sized dish (seven sun) 色絵七寸皿

    Kutani or Arita kilns 九谷か有田焼

    Gourd and trellis 瓢棚図

    Early 20th century 明治後期~大正時代

    CB-CJ-1937-116
  14. Medium dish (seven sun) 色絵七寸皿

    Arita kilns 有田焼

    Morning-glory and hedge 紫垣朝顔図

    Early 20th century 明治後期~大正時代

    CB-CJ-1933-117