Dish
Japan
1750-1780s

The swirling pattern here is known as an ‘octopus scroll’. It is named after its resemblance to octopus tentacles and suckers.

Japanese potters used the design widely on Japanese ceramics from the 1660s and it is still a popular pattern today.

Porcelain, underglaze blue, overglaze enamel and gold
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 389

Rectangular dish
Saga or Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
1750-1780s

The swirling pattern here is known as an ‘octopus scroll’. It is named after its resemblance to octopus tentacles and suckers.

Japanese potters used the design widely on Japanese ceramics from the 1660s and it is still a popular pattern today.

Porcelain, underglaze blue, overglaze enamel and gold
Given by Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 129

Arita, Japan
1730-1750s

The swirling pattern here is known as an ‘octopus scroll’. It is named after its resemblance to octopus tentacles and suckers.

Japanese potters used the design widely on Japanese ceramics from the 1660s and it is still a popular pattern today.

Porcelain, silver, underglaze blue, overglaze enamel and gold
Given by Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 178

Arita, Japan
1710-1780s

Floral scroll patterns originated in the Middle East and came to Japan through China and Korea. The patterns were used in Buddhist decorative arts and adapted to Japanese porcelain patterns.

Porcelain, underglaze blue
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 290

Arita, Japan
1730-1760s

Pine, bamboo, and plum are known together as the ‘Three Friends of Winter’. They are plants that grow in the cold of winter and represent resilience and perseverance.

The motif was adopted from China, where it represented the ideal characteristics of a Confucian scholar.

Porcelain, underglaze blue
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 152

Arita, Japan
1730-1760s

The ‘Three Friends of Winter’ motif of pine, bamboo and plum was a versatile pattern. On this dish it has been adapted to a border pattern.

On other designs it appears as a simplified ring.

Porcelain, underglaze blue
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 303

Shida kilns, Japan
1655-1660s

Birds have long been a popular subject in Japanese porcelain designs.

On this dish, two herons stand in water. Herons symbolise good luck and are associated with winter.

In the border are pomegranates, symbolising a wish for many descendants.

Porcelain, underglaze blue
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 81

Arita, Japan
1690-1740s

Japanese people have a strong appreciation of the seasons. Hydrangeas bloom between June and July and signify the end of the rainy season.

Hydrangeas (ajisai in Japanese) literally translates to ‘purple sun flower’. The name is thought to have been given to the flower by the Chinese Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi (772-846).

Porcelain, underglaze blue
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 1086

Arita, Japan
1780-1820s

As well as Chinese symbolism, Chinese literature was a source of inspiration for ceramic decoration.

The boat scene on this dish refers to a Chinese poem called ‘Ode to the Red Cliffs’ written by Su Shi (1037-1101) in 1082.

Porcelain, underglaze blue
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 386

Shida kiln, Ureshino, Japan
1810-1860s

Some dishes had uniquely Japanese motifs.

On this dish is a lobster (ebi in Japanese) beside two rice-measure crests. It is a visual pun on the name of Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizō, who was described as having the eyeballs of a fresh lobster from his characteristic wide-eyed performances.

Porcelain, underglaze blue
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 104

Shida kiln, Ureshino, Japan
1800-1840s

Daikoku, a god of wealth and prosperity and one of the Seven Lucky Gods, is closely associated with the rat and the radish. This is because rats appear when there is plenty of food, and because the Japanese word for radish, daikon, echoes the name Daikoku.

Porcelain, underglaze blue
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 90

Saga or Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
1868-1945

Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain. For centuries is has held a special place in Japanese culture.

In the Shinto religion, Mount Fuji is regarded as a sacred spirit (kami). Climbing the mountain’s slope is considered an act of pilgrimage.

In art, Mount Fuji symbolises beauty and good fortune.

Porcelain, underglaze blue
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 33

Arita, Japan
1780-1800s

This mythical creature, a minogame, is a symbol of long life. It’s an ancient turtle said to be so old that the waterweed on its back has grown long and flows behind it like a cape. Here, the trail of waterweed forms the swirling background.

Porcelain, underglaze blue
Given by Miss Irene Finch, 2012
Finch 9