This is an offering of a Taisho period Mikawachi ware Kakyusho kiln, sometsuke (blue and white) plate with pine, bamboo, and plum design and floral arabesque pattern. This is Mikawachi ware, a type of pottery from Nagasaki Prefecture. During the Edo period, the Hirado clan established a "goyo-gama" (official kiln) to produce vessels and offerings for the lord of the Matsuura clan, creating elaborate pottery that disregarded profit. From the Meiji period onwards, it gained popularity for its delicate craftsmanship and designs for export and domestic markets. This spirit of "taking pains" has been passed down to the present day. It continues from the Edo period through the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods, and into the modern era. The following is the official information about the Kakyusho kiln: Founded 350 years ago by Nakazato Moemon, who contributed to the establishment of the Hirado clan's official kiln. The third-generation Moemon's third son changed his surname to Satomi and, as the clan's official kiln, devoted himself to the refinement of techniques. He inherited the hand-painted sometsuke (blue and white) technique, one of the most representative traditional techniques of Mikawachi ware. (Excerpt from Kakyusho kiln) Among them, the works of the Kakyusho kiln produced during the Taisho period are exceptionally beautiful and highly skilled. The auspicious design of pine, bamboo, and plum is arranged in the center, surrounded by a detailed floral arabesque pattern, showcasing both excellent technique and composition. In particular, the areas around the leaves and branches of the floral arabesque pattern are painted with a dark blue, and the skill in applying this dark blue is outstanding. Normally, with such intricate lines, the dark blue would bleed into the leaves and branches, but this is not the case. This demonstrates the skill of the craftsman who created this tableware, a skill achieved after applying the design to thousands upon thousands of pieces. In addition, the beautiful cobalt blue coloring of the sometsuke enhances the elegance. There are few craftsmen today who possess this technique. It shows how high the technical skill of the old craftsmen was, and how they did not cut corners in their work. There are signs of aging, use, and iron spots, but there are no cracks or chips. It is rare to find good tableware from 120 years ago. The mark is Kakyusho (嘉久正), with the character for "正" (sho) in a square. The size is as shown in the photos. Thank you. Material: Pottery/Ceramics Brand: Mikawachi ware Shape: Round plate Item Type: Side plate Material: Pottery/Ceramics Brand: Mikawachi ware Shape: Round plate Item Type: Side plate