An elegant blue and white Arita dish finely painted with Tatsutagawa design (Tatsuta River) depicting falling maple leaves and lapping waves on a meandering river beneath a cloudy sky with with highlights picked out using sumi hajiki (ink-repel technique)
 
Arita ware, Hizen province, Japan
Edo Period (17th century)
circa 1660-80
 
The design is thought to represent the Tatsuta River, famous for the maple trees that were planted along its banks during the Edo period for the Chūgū-ji Temple at the advise of Shusei Fujimon, an ancient scholar of Japanese Classical literature. The hints of blue sky above the white reserved clouds showcase swirling winds picked out using sumi hajiki technique (literally meaning "ink repel”) in which ink is applied under areas of cobalt; during firing, the ink burns off removing any overlying color (Wilson 1995:118).
 
A sublimely pleasing pattern.
 
The reverse encircled with scrolling karakusa. Four spur marks on the base where the dish rested on its sagger in the kiln.
 
Measurements:
7.6 inches in diameter (19.4 cm);  1.2 inches in height (3.0 cm).
 
Condition report:
In excellent original condition.