Thank you for viewing. This is a mukouzuke (small dish) I purchased at an antique market about 20 years ago. I was told it is from the Meiji era. Phoenix and geometric circular patterns are alternately depicted in the vertically long windows. I liked the phoenix because it felt approachable and unpretentious. Perhaps the phoenix is depicted from the back, spreading its wings as if about to take flight. The design is somewhat stylized. The beak and eyes are visible at the top, so that's the head. The middle part is the spread wings. Then the lower part is the tail feathers. The adjacent vertical window has a geometric circular pattern. The arrangement of half-circles creates a rhythm. The rim is a flower shape. The color goes all the way around. The hem pattern looks like a repetition of circles and crosses at first glance, but upon closer inspection, one is a fan shape, which is unusual. I think it's probably an abbreviation of some kind of continuous pattern. The base is small, and the style is cute. It can be used for many purposes. How about as an accompaniment to fine sake? Size: Approximately 6 cm high Approximately 7.5 cm wide