This plate was made at the Tobe-ware kiln of Masataka Nakata in Ehime.  A ‘sun’ is a measurement domination in Japan equating to roughly 3.03cm.  (Stretch your forefinger and your thumb and the distance is half of one shaku.  A shaku works out at about 30cm.  One tenth of this is a sun).  It makes these 6 sun plates a little more than 18cm in diameter.

The plates is slightly deep, with a depressed central serving area, good for presentation.

Tobe-ware is a tradition in blue and white ceramics in Ehime, on Japan’s Shikoku island. It has its origins in the late 18th century decision of the local feudal domain to import potters from the large porcelain region of Arita. Since then Tobe-ware has continued in a parallel tradition, and is known today for its small family kilns, and dedication to hand painted techniques.

Masataka Nakata is an exponent of this tradition, with the small kiln he founded in 1974 producing Tobe-ware work with a dedication to classic patterns, and rooted in its material. While the ceramic patterns have their origins in the Meiji or even Edo periods, there is also a contemporary, stylish appeal to Nakata’s forms.  Everything produced at the Nakata kiln is hand made and hand painted.

The pattern available here is Karakusa which is a traditional foliage type scroll.

Size: φ18.5cm H 4cm 390g