Cake plate with plum design

early 18th century

Japanese, 1663 - 1743

"Ogata Kenzan is a renowned Edo period artist in the field of ceramics and painting. After studying under the direction of Kyoto ware (Kyo-yaki) master Nonomura Ninsei-whose tea powder container is on display nearby-Kenzan built his kiln in 1699 at Narutaki in Kyoto.

A square shaped plate is his favored form, a unique style only found in Kenzan's and his successors' work, probably made as a set of ten or twenty. Bamboo, peony and wild orchid designs are depicted, along with poetry drawn as though on paper, an expression of his rich calligraphy, painting and ceramic techniques. It is thought that Kenzan was inspired by his older brother Ogata Korin, a famous Rimpa painter, and that they sometimes worked together on Kenzan's plates."

Ceramic with iron oxide and clear glazes

7/8 x 5 3/4 in. (2.22 x 14.61 cm)

L.: 5 3/4 in.

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

36.56

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, "Tabaimo: Utsutsushi Utsushi," November 11, 2016 - February 26, 2017

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Tea House Gallery Installation", November 26, 2004 - January 30, 2006

Published ReferencesFuller, Richard E. "Japanese Art in the Seattle Art Museum: An Historical Sketch." Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1960 ("Presented in commemoration of the Hundredth Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the United States of America"), no. 145a

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