Feature for July, 1999

BLUE AND WHITE IMARI

picture of feature


Porcelain was first produced in Japan in 1605 by a Korean potter. The potter was brought back to Japan as a prisoner of war after an unsuccessful attempt at invading Korea. Early Japanese porcelain resembled both porcelain and pottery, showing much Korean influence.

The early porcelain ware was produced using a once-fired process. The blue designs were drawn directly on dry greenware then covered with a translucent glaze. The pieces were then glaze fired at 1300°C.

Colored over-glazes were developed in the mid 17th century. Lord Nabeshima, licensed the over-glaze techniques to artisans in his domain, which included the Arita area. This allowed him to restrict the dissemination of the trade secrets of over-glazes.

Bisque firing was introduced in the late 17th century. With this process, the green ware was first fired at 700 - 800°C. Designs were then painted onto the bisque ware with a pigment called gosu. Gosu is an unrefined mix of cobalt oxide, sodium and other minerals mined in China. The cobalt gives Imari its distinctive blue designs. After decoration, the porcelain was covered with a clear glaze then fired again in the kiln at 1300°C. The twice-fired process greatly improved the quality of porcelain ware.

Soon, fine Japanese porcelain wares became recognized and highly appreciated by Europeans. In 18th century large quantities of porcelain were produced according to European specifications and exported from the port of Imari, in northern Kyushu. Thereafter, blue and white porcelain came to be known as Imari.

While colored Imari was in high demand both inside and outside Japan, blue and white Imari developed into a highly sophisticated art form within Japan. Many of the Imari artists were heavily influenced by the Kano school of sumie painting. During the latter half of the 18th century, the art of blue and white Imari reached its pinnacle. The quality of the wares from this era cannot be matched today. These porcelain wares were exchanged as gifts among feudal lords and wealthy merchants. By the middle of the 19th century, porcelain was utilized for every day use in the homes of the common folk.


Prices are quoted at the beginning of the feature month. We reserve the right to change prices at any time. Please note that we do not update this page to reflect availability of items. If you are interested in purchasing any items, please contact Harumi Antiques.


To see a larger image of each piece, click on the image (~100K).


picture in a new window 1) Sake cup washer
  • This is vessel holds water to wash sake cups. During ceremonial parties a guest drinks from the sake cup, then washes the sake cup using the sake cup washer, and finally passes both the cup and the washer to the next guest. Morning glory design. Larger than typical sake cup washers.
  • 7" in diameter x 5"
  • ca. 1800
  • $1,700
picture in a new window 2) Sake cup washer
  • This is vessel holds water to wash sake cups. During ceremonial parties a guest drinks from the sake cup, then washes the sake cup using the sake cup washer, and finally passes both the cup and the washer to the next guest. Hana karakusa (flower & vine) design. All intricate details were hand painted (requiring days of painstaking work). Once-fired piece.
  • 6 ½" x 4"
  • ca. 1720
  • $1,800
picture in a new window 3) Sake pot
  • Used to serve cold sake into flat, lacquered, wooden sake cups. Once fired piece.
  • 7 ½" x 7"
  • Ca. 1700
  • $2,000
picture in a new window 4) Sake bottle
  • Simple spontaneous design typical of early pieces. Thick bluish-gray over glaze. The neck is decorated with a tako-karakusa (octpus vine) design. Once fired piece.
  • 6" x 9 ½"
  • ca.1700
  • $3,500
picture in a new window 5) Hair-oil pot
  • A small pot for pouring hair-oil. One or two drops of hair-oil is poured into the palm of the hand and then used to style hair. A larger pot of similar shape was used to stock the hair-oil. Simple spontaneous design typical of early pieces. Thick bluish-gray over glaze. Once fired piece.
  • 3 ¼ " x 4"
  • ca. 1670
  • $600
picture in a new window 6) Covered tea container
  • Simple spontaneous design typical of early pieces. Thick bluish-gray over glaze. Hand painted peony blossom and vine design. Once fired piece.
  • 8" x 14 ½
  • Ca. 1770
  • $4,000
picture in a new window 7) Chopstick holder
  • Odd cylindrical shape for holding two or three pair of chopsticks. Once fired piece.
  • 3" x 4 ½"
  • ca. 1770
  • $400
picture in a new window 8) Chopstick holder
  • Clay work with a lace cut-out design. Chopstick holders with simple line designs were quite popular.
  • 3" x 4 ½"
  • ca. 1830
  • $200
picture in a new window 9) Small dishes
  • Oddly shaped, tiny dishes for sauces and condiments
  • 4"
  • ca. 1800
  • $200 each.
picture in a new window 10) Shallow bowl
  • Cobalt blue typical of later pieces. Perfect for growing yama-imo (mountain potatoes).
  • 11" x 2"
  • Ca 1830
  • $500
picture in a new window 11) Plate
  • Depicts an old Chinese man travelling on horse back.
  • 14"
  • Ca.1800
  • $400
picture in a new window 12) Nabeshima dish
  • Fine painting of pair of cranes on a snow covered pine tree trunk. The foot has comb design.
  • 6 ¼" x 1 ¾"
  • ca.1840
  • $1,500
picture in a new window 13) Three-tiered, stacking, rectangular lunch box.
  • Depicts a flowering tree in full bloom painted on three sides and birds playing on the water on the back side. One tier has a repair.
  • 5 ½" x 3 ¼" x 5 ½"
  • ca 1800
  • $1,000
picture in a new window 14) Rectangular plate
  • Depicts two birds in a pond surrounded by a flower & vine design. Very rare design. This size plate is used for serving whole, grilled fish. Once-fired piece.
  • 8 ½" x 5" x 3 ½"
  • ca 1700
  • $1,800
picture in a new window 15) Soba cups
  • Soba (buckwheat) noodles are served using these cups. The cups contain a dipping sauce for the noodles.
  • 3 ¼" x 2 ¾"
  • ca. 1830
  • $200 ea.

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