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Subject:Japanese B&W Covered Bowl -
Posted By: Bill H Sat, Sep 08, 2018 IP: 2601:342:80:4e1c:b17

I'm trying to atone myself with Japanese collectors in the forum for my regular errors in transliterations and other fine points of the language. Here's a recent find, a blue & white lidded bowl with figural decoration and marks of Fuki Choshun (Riches, Honors & Long Life), which aspects could possibly indicate pre-Meiji period origins. At least most of the similar marks described by James Lord Bowes in his Meiji period book of marks and seals were Hizen (Arita) products described as "Old Japan" or Edo.

I presume this is food service porcelain, but its shape differs from modern "yaki" bowls. The dimensions are about 4.25 inches tall with lid in place, and bowl diameter is 5.25 inches across the top rim. The decoration of "Scholars in a Bamboo Grove", as well as the mark are in the Chinese-manner, though the figural style gives way to a Japanese hand at the brush. The interior of the bowl and underside of the lid also are decorated but aren't shown.

All comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

Best regards,

Bill H.







Subject:Re: Japanese B&W Covered Bowl -
Posted By: Arjan Sun, Sep 09, 2018

Hi Bill H,

Agree it's Japanese. You're right that this marking was often used during the late Edo period but still in Meiji. It's often difficult to Judge by posted pictures (how uccurate are the colors) but I think the -so called- new cobalt is used which is often a good indication it's made after 1870. I must say I never saw one with such a high standrim but we are Lucky because Emiko is "on board" again.

Regards,
Arjan.

Subject:Re: Japanese B&W Covered Bowl -
Posted By: Bill H Mon, Sep 10, 2018

Arjan, thanks much for the comment on this bowl. The blue actually has a bit more gray than my pictures show. I use sunlight-value fluorescent lamps, which are old and starting to lend a green cast to the images. I can compensate with Photoshop, but diminishing the green tends to enhance the blues. Here are some shots of the underside of the lid and inside of the bowl. Perhaps a little truer but still not 100%. The first two shots are of the lid; the last being the bowl.

Best regards,

Bill H.







Subject:Re: Japanese B&W Covered Bowl -
Posted By: Arjan Mon, Sep 10, 2018

Hi Bill,

It's indeed very difficult to get the colors right. Also the blue colors on older (pre 1870) japanese differs and (for me) it's best to see the difference when thinly painted. As an example I post a detail of a dish which is probably the oldest Japanese one I own. I tried to make the color as close as possible on my -not callibrated- monitor.

Regards,
Arjan



Subject:Re: Japanese B&W Covered Bowl -
Posted By: Emiko Gilmore Tue, Sep 11, 2018

Hi Bill and Arjan, this blue and white sometsuke rice bowl is known as "kanton-wan" (Canton style rice bowl). It is listed in the book, Shibata Collection, No.3631 as Sometsuke Tojin Take-mon futatsuki-wan (blue and white China or Korean figural Bamboo motif), 1780-1790. Very nice. Emiko

Subject:Re: Japanese B&W Covered Bowl -
Posted By: Arjan Wed, Sep 12, 2018

Hi Emiko,
Great info.... a bit older than I expected to be.

Regards,
Arjan

Subject:Re: Japanese B&W Covered Bowl -
Posted By: Bill H Fri, Sep 14, 2018

Emiko, that's a pleasant surprise. I'll take better care of it now.

Much obliged,

Bill H.


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