Antique Japanese 19th Century Imari Octagonal Blue & White Landscape Plate 12.5"W

Late Edo to Early Meiji Imari Charger with Garden Fence and Plum Blossoms

Japan, late Edo to early Meiji period (circa 1850s–1870s)
Dimensions: 12.5″W × 12.5″D × 1.75″H (31.8 × 31.8 × 4.4 cm)

This antique Japanese Imari porcelain plate is potted in an octagonal form with a broad, faceted rim framing a finely painted central panel. Executed in underglaze cobalt blue on a soft, slightly milky white ground, the composition depicts a tranquil garden scene with flowering branches, bamboo, birds in flight, and a woven fence anchoring the foreground. The plate’s scale and shallow depth place it firmly in the category of a display charger rather than everyday tableware.

The border is densely patterned with scrolling floral karakusa motifs, creating a strong visual contrast with the open, pictorial center. The interior scene features plum blossoms (梅) in bloom, a classic seasonal symbol associated with renewal, perseverance, and refined taste. The painter’s confident brushwork varies from crisp linear detail to softer washes, producing depth and movement characteristic of late Edo Imari workshop production.

Stylistically, the plate sits at the transition from Edo restraint to Meiji exuberance, retaining asymmetry and negative space while increasing decorative density at the rim. The octagonal form itself reflects Chinese-inspired tastes filtered through Japanese aesthetics, a format favored for both domestic display and export markets during this period.

Collectors value plates of this type for their balance of narrative imagery, architectural elements, and strong geometric framing. The combination of a bold patterned rim with a calm landscape interior makes this piece particularly effective as a wall display or cabinet centerpiece, where it reads clearly from a distance while rewarding closer inspection.

Condition: Stable antique condition with kiln grit, firing marks, and glaze pooling consistent with age. Minor rim frits and surface wear visible, including a small edge chip, all appropriate to period and use.

A handsome and expressive example of late Edo to early Meiji Imari porcelain, well suited for collectors of Japanese ceramics or as a refined decorative accent with historical presence and visual depth.