Pair of Hexagonal Jars: Arita Ware, Kakiemon Type, late 1600s. This kakiemon-type jar with plum design is a product made for the European markets. Here, Japanese kakiemon potters transformed the typical plum, bamboo, and pine motifs into a theme appreciating the plum. The 9th-century Japanese scholar and politician Sugawara Michizane established the plum as a symbol of scholarship. An excellent poet, particularly of Chinese-style poetry, he was also well known for his love of plum blossoms. Later, the plum came to represent tenmangu, a shrine for Sugawara.

---

Size: 4219px × 5175px
Photo credit: © Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1615-1868, art, ceramic, cleveland, decoration, edo, enamel, gold, heritage, imari, japan, museum, overglaze, period, porcelain, unknown, ware