{"product_id":"4147","title":"Arita Ware Decorative Plate - Shochikubai and Crane, Somenishiki","description":"\u003cp\u003ePine, bamboo, plum and crane, outlined in indigo and finished in brilliant overglaze colour; the crane’s feathers are wrapped in a noble platinum light.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShochikubai — Pine, Bamboo and Plum\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eShochikubai\u003c\/em\u003e has meant long life without age since ancient times. The pine, being evergreen, means longevity; the bamboo, supple and unbroken even under snow, stands for strength; the plum, flowering in winter, was held to be a symbol of vitality. All are auspicious.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEntirely Hand-Painted, One of a Kind\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery decorative plate we handle is a one-off, painted entirely by hand without transfers. It comes with a special paulownia box bearing the artist’s inscription.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Arita Ware\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArita ware is the origin of Japanese porcelain. In 1616, under the rule of the Saga domain lord Naoshige Nabeshima, pottery stone was found in what is now Saga Prefecture and production began. Because the wares were made in Arita and shipped from the port of Imari, they are also known as Imari ware. Carried to Europe by the Dutch East India Company — the only trading partner permitted during Japan’s period of national seclusion — the porcelain was called “white gold” and furnished the courts of royalty and nobility.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShochikubai\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eShochikubai\u003c\/em\u003e — pine, bamboo and plum — has signified long life and good fortune since ancient times: the pine evergreen, the bamboo unbroken under snow, the plum flowering in winter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy a Paulownia Box\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePaulownia wood is light, resists moisture and insects, and moves with changes in humidity — which is why it has been used in Japan for centuries to store what is valuable. A piece delivered in a paulownia box arrives ready to give, and the box itself is part of the gift.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContents and Dimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDecorative plate × 1, paulownia box, wooden stand, turmeric-dyed cloth, booklet.\u003cbr\u003eHeight: 2.7cm Diameter: 19cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAs each piece is handmade, slight variations in size may occur.\u003c\/em\u003e","brand":"Fujii Kinsai Kiln","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54679553573139,"sku":"4573593924894","price":58400.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0797\/4227\/1763\/files\/4147_01_800.jpg?v=1788917969","url":"https:\/\/www.jtopia.com\/products\/4147","provider":"JTOPIA global","version":"1.0","type":"link"}