19th C. Japanese Igezgara Transferware Plate – Boat Design

Meiji period (1868-1912) transferware plate. 
 
Dimensions: Approximately 11½” diameter.
 
Decoration:
The molded rim is edged with the typical brown band.
 
The border is decorated with a geometric pattern. 
 
The center is decorated with three heart-shaped cartouches containing partial pavilion landscapes.
 
The cartouches are separated by arabesque and Hoo, or Phoenix, patterns.
 
The central medallion contains a canopied pleasure boat, or yakatabune, with two people under a four star constellation.
 
This is pattern is described and illustrated by Alistair Seton in his book “Igezara Printed China” at p. 188 and by Keigo Watanabe in his book “Igezara Museum” at page 224.
 
The reverse is decorated with a pattern described by Alistair Seton as triple “Shippo Boxes”. 
 
The foot is encircled by two blue bands.
 
The piece is heavily potted, as is the case with Izegara wares.
 
"Igezara" is a term applied to heavy, durable, everyday porcelain produced in Japan from near the end of the Edo Period (mid 1800's) until early Taisho (early 1900's), although the generally accepted period for Igezara wares is 1880 – 1910. 
 
Izegara ware was produced in Arita, Saga in Kyushu, and Gifu. 
 
Unlike fine porcelain like Imari and Kutani that are hand painted. “Igezara" items are transferware, produced by transferring designs initially created on copper plates, similar to transferware produced in Staffordshire England at the beginning of the 19th century.
 
"Igezara" was mass produced for everyday use and made primarily for the Japanese market. Accordingly, it is usually thickly potted so withstand wear and tear of daily use. 
 
Most typically, the pieces have a brown edge around the rim and the rim itself has “pie crust” ridges molded into it.
 
The name "Igezara" comes from two Japanese words: "Ige" means "notch or thorn" and the term refers to the pie-like indentations often found around the rim of many plates. "Zara" or "sara" means "plate" in Japanese. 
 
References: 
Seton, “Izegara, Printed China”.
Watanabe, “Igezara Museum”.
 
Condition: In excellent condition consistent with age and usage. Please examine the photos; they are part of the description.