Preliminary identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
This shallow porcelain dish is hand-painted in underglaze cobalt blue featuring a classic scholar on horseback followed by an attendant carrying luggage under weeping willows. The reverse exhibits traditional auspicious motifs and distinctive spur marks from kiln firing.
Story
Fired in the historic kilns of Hizen province, this dish captures the poetic theme of a traveling literatus journeying through a tranquil landscape. Its spur marks on the base are authentic traces of kiln craftsmanship.
Maker / Origin
Produced by unnamed porcelain artisans in the Arita district of Hizen Province, the cradle of Japanese porcelain. These workshops refined underglaze cobalt techniques (sometsuke) to create wares for both domestic dining and international trade.
Condition & Value
Appears in very good condition with no apparent chips or hairline cracks to the rim. Three authentic firing spur marks and minor kiln grit are present on the base, consistent with period manufacture.
Full Research
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Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.