*SHIPPING IS SET FOR EMS EXPRESS TO ALL AVAILABLE DESTINATIONS FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES.

This listing is for a beautiful Iro-Nabeshima decorative plate made around 50-60 years ago by Imaizumi Imaemon XII. It is made of porcelain and decorated with hand-painted camellias over a white porcelain base.  Red camellias are powerful in symbolism and they were popular with nobles during the Edo period.  They symbolised a noble death among samurai and they admired for their ability to withstand the harsh cold of winter.  The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box.  It also comes with a lacquered wooden plate stand.

Imaizumi Imaemon XII (1897-1975) is the 12th generation master from one of the most important potter families in Japan. The family history dates back to the early Edo period, when Imaizumi Imaemon I was selected to decorate porcelain wares to supply Saga Castle. Lord Nabeshima established a kiln and Imaemon was invited to decorate porcelain pieces using colourful overglaze enamel, thus marking the birth of Nabeshima-ware. The Imaemon family have kept their techniques under lock and key for over 300 years, and they are now in their 14th generation.  Imaizumi Imaemon XII joined the family business in 1916 after graduating from the Saga Prefecture Arita Technical school.  In 1940 he was designated as a craft preservation artist by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and he took over as the 12th generation master in 1948 after his father passed away.  In 1952 he was designated as an intangible cultural asset to honour his contribution to preserving Iro Nabeshima techniques.  In 1954 he was invited to exhibit at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition, and he has exhibited every year since then.  In 1955 he became a full-time member of the Japan Kogei Association, and was designated as an intangible cultural property by the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Properties.  In 1957 he exhibited work at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, which was purchased by the Japanese government and presented to Prime Minister Nehru in India.  In 1958 he received the Grand Prize Award at the Brussels World Exposition, and in 1963 he received the highly coveted Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon Award.  In 1965 one of his Iro-Nabeshima platters was purchased by the Cultural Properties Protection Committee, and in 1966 he received the Saga Prefecture Person of Cultural Merit Award.  In 1967 he received the prestigious Medal with Purple Ribbon Award, and in 1968 he established the Imaemon Antique Ceramic Reference Museum to display collections pertaining to Iro-nabeshima.  In 1970 he formed the Iro-Nabeshima Technique Preservation Society, and in 1971 the Iro-Nabeshima Technique Preservation Society was certified as a National Important Intangible Cultural Property.  In 1972 he received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette 4th Class, and in 1975 he was commissioned to make souvenirs on behalf of Their Majesties the Showa Emperor and Empress to present to President Ford upon their visit to the United States.  In 1975 he received the rank of Jugoi (Junior Fifth Rank) from the Imperial Household Agency, and unfortunately he passed away later that year at age 77.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Iro-Nabeshima refers to coloured Nabeshima porcelain-ware. It is characterized by elaborate hand-painted motifs featuring flowers, birds, fruit, and plants. Hand-painted porcelain began in Arita in the 1600’s, under strict control of the Nabeshima clan. Porcelain production at this kiln later developed into refined ceramic ware known as Iro-Nabeshima. After the Meiji restoration the technique of overglaze painting with red pigment was established. This type of porcelain-ware typically features blue, vermillion, yellow, and green glazes; sometimes combined with blue underglazing and gold. Another interesting feature of Nabeshima-ware is the use of space, skilled craftsmen strike a perfect balance between the richly coloured motifs and milky white base.

Sizes

Box:  H.7.8cm (3”) x 28.3cm (11.1”) x 28.3cm (11.1”)

Plate:  H.3.7cm (1.4”) x Dia.26cm (10.2”)

Stand:  H.17cm (6.6”)

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                         

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway:  EMS Express

**Asia:  EMS Express

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.