Japanese Imari Plate | Blue and White Porcelain | Large Charger | Hydrangea Chrysanthemum Peony | Hand Painted | Sometsuke | Japan Art

The Story Behind This Piece:

Situated in the quiet, mountainous, and heavy snowbound northern region of Hiroshima Prefecture, there stands a magnificent, traditional minka estate that once belonged to a prominent local family. In winter, the surrounding mountains are deeply buried under thick snow, and a profound silence wraps the entire beautiful land. In a corner of this estate sat a heavy, white-plastered kura storehouse. When the thick doors of this storehouse were opened, and from within the dim, humid air untouched for decades, this grand Imari-style sometsuke porcelain platter from the 1970s was miraculously brought back to light from a wooden box. At first glance, one is instantly captivated by its deeply nostalgic yet astonishingly modern design, which harmonizes brilliantly with contemporary living spaces. While leaving a bold, elegant white negative space in the center, the skilled craftsman decorated the surrounding area with a powerful touch, using vivid cobalt blue underglaze to depict noble flowers that color the four seasons of Japan: lush peonies, timeless chrysanthemums, and stately hydrangeas. Butterflies dancing gracefully among the blossoms seem to encapsulate the collective prayers for family happiness, eternal prosperity, and a great harmony with nature that people deeply sought during the height of Japan's rapid economic growth period. The original owner of this magnificent platter was a highly aesthetic and trendy master of the house who found great success in forestry and local business in Hiroshima during the 1970s. In those days, the Japanese Mingei folk art movement and the Wa-Modern boom, which reinterpreted traditional Japanese handcrafted beauty into contemporary lifestyles, were at their peak, and the master purchased this large platter as a special vessel to entertain esteemed guests. In northern Hiroshima, where the land is buried under deep snow during winter, it was customary for relatives and local leaders to gather around the warm open irori hearth or in newly built, grand tatami rooms for grand banquets. This platter sat proudly at the center of those gatherings, generously piled with local mountain delicacies and large regional dishes to welcome visitors with ultimate hospitality and bring smiles to their faces. However, as Japan transitioned through the bubble economy of the 1980s and into the Heisei era, dining habits and interior design trends became increasingly Westernized, making lightweight glass and smaller European brand tableware the mainstream. This large platter, filled with the warmth of handcrafted work that once dominated festive occasions, eventually stepped away from the daily stage, deemed too special and slightly too large for everyday use. Consequently, during a major house reorganization in the early 1990s, the platter was carefully wrapped in the newspapers of that time, secured in a sturdy wooden box, and stored away on the highest shelf of the dark kura storehouse. Decades passed in complete silence until today. Due to the progressive depopulation of northern Hiroshima, the decision was made to dismantle the old ancestral estate, and during the profound process of organizing the family's historic belongings to pass the land and memories to the next generation, this grand platter finally embraced the daylight once again. When first discovered, its surface was covered with decades of storehouse dust and light grease; however, after being washed with utmost care, the vivid, intense blue infused into the porcelain by the 1970s craftsman revived with astonishing vitality, fitting perfectly into contemporary living spaces. This piece bears minor superficial abrasions and a subtle aged color along the rim from its history of storage and authentic use, showing a beautiful natural aging process over time. These imperfections are not defects; rather, they are the designs of time that convey the warmth of Showa retro style and a rich human touch to those of us living in a flawless digital society that pursues only efficiency. The essence of wabi-sabi, which finds transcendent beauty in imperfection, and the core Mingei value, which discovers supreme beauty within everyday tools, are vividly alive in this single platter. Whether featured as a centerpiece in a vintage minka cafe or on a sleek, modern dining table, this vessel transcends the boundaries of ordinary tableware, serving as an artistic artifact that quietly whispers the vibrant energy of 1970s Japan and the intimate family dialogues nurtured in a Hiroshima mountain village, waiting to begin its next narrative in your home. Possessing a vessel with such a rich background brings not only the joy of ownership but also an overwhelming power to elevate the elegance of the space itself.

Condition & Notes:
Please note before purchasing.
This is a vintage or antique item sold as-is.
Due to age and long-term storage, natural signs of wear and aging may be present, including:
* small scratches or scuffs
* fading or discoloration
* glaze irregularities or imperfections
* crackling (crazing), kiln marks, or gold wear
* slight warping or age-related changes in wooden parts
Vintage and antique items may also carry natural storage-related scents from wood, paper, lacquer, smoke, or long-term preservation environments.
These characteristics are part of the individuality, historical character, and quiet beauty that vintage Japanese items carry.
They are not flaws, but the gentle traces of time.
We kindly ask for your understanding that vintage and antique items differ from newly manufactured products.
We do our best to show all notable details in the photos, but some small imperfections may not be fully visible.
Please review the dimensions carefully before purchasing, as photos may make items appear larger or smaller depending on display settings and shooting conditions.
Please note that colors may appear slightly different depending on lighting conditions and screen settings.
Only the items shown in the photos are included unless otherwise stated.
Display stands, decorative props, or accessories used for photography are not included unless explicitly stated.
Thank you for appreciating the character and spirit of these timeworn pieces.

Dimensions:

Height: 4.0 cm (1.57 in)
Depth: 29.4 cm (11.57 in)
Width: 29.4 cm (11.57 in)
Base: 17.0 cm (6.69 in)
Weight: 1105 g (38.98 oz)

Shipping Information:
All items are shipped from Hiroshima, Japan.
Orders are usually dispatched within 3–5 business days after payment is confirmed.
For shipments to the United States, we use DHL Express or UPS with full tracking and insurance.
For all other destinations, orders are shipped via DHL Express, UPS, or Japan Post EMS depending on the destination and shipping conditions.
Each item is carefully packed with protective materials to ensure safe delivery.
Estimated delivery time is approximately 7–14 business days depending on customs procedures, local delivery conditions, weather disruptions, and customs inspections.
International Buyers – Duties, VAT & Taxes:
Import duties / customs duties are covered by us for all available shipping destinations.
However, VAT, GST, consumption taxes, customs processing fees, carrier handling fees, and other local import-related charges are not included in the item price unless otherwise stated.
These charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
Depending on your country’s regulations, these charges may be collected either by local customs authorities or by the shipping carrier upon delivery.
For many higher-value international orders, VAT/GST and import-related processing charges are commonly collected at the time of delivery.
Please note that free shipping or customs duty coverage does not mean that VAT/GST or local import-related charges are included.
Even when customs duties are covered by us, VAT/GST and local import-related charges may still be payable separately by the buyer upon delivery.
We do not mark items as gifts or under-declare their value for customs purposes.
Please ensure that your shipping address and contact information are accurate and complete.
If a package is returned due to an incorrect address, unpaid VAT/GST or import-related charges, refusal, or failed delivery, all return and reshipping costs are the buyer’s responsibility.
International deliveries may occasionally experience delays due to customs procedures or local postal conditions.

Damage During Shipping:
In the unlikely event that your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 10 days of delivery and provide clear photos of:
* the damaged item
* the outer shipping box
* the inside packaging condition
* the shipping label
Please keep all packaging materials and damaged items until the shipping carrier completes the investigation.
Minor imperfections consistent with the nature of vintage or antique items are not considered shipping damage.

Returns & Refunds:
All items are vintage or antique and sold as-is.
Due to the nature of vintage and antique items, we generally do not accept returns, cancellations, or refunds except where required by law or covered by shipping insurance.
Returns or refunds are not accepted for reasons such as:
* change of mind
* customs delays
* minor differences in condition
* color differences
* texture variations
* size impression differences
* natural signs of age and wear
However, if severe loss or damage during shipping is officially confirmed by the carrier’s insurance, we will respond within the scope of the insurance coverage.
For customers in the UK and EU, applicable consumer protection laws and cooling-off rights will take precedence where required by law.

Safety & Usage:
These items are decorative vintage or antique pieces intended for adult collectors.
They are not toys and are not suitable for direct food use.
Vintage ceramics may contain historical materials or glazes that do not meet modern food safety standards.
We cannot guarantee suitability for modern food, beverage, dishwasher, microwave, oven, or direct cooking use.
Please enjoy them as decorative objects that bring quiet beauty and history into your space.
Handle with care and avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, direct sunlight, or heat.

Liability Disclaimer:
We cannot be held responsible for any accidents, damage, allergic reactions, injury, loss, or issues resulting from the use, handling, aging, restoration, transportation, or storage of vintage or antique items.
All products are sold as decorative vintage collectibles, and customers are responsible for proper handling, display, usage, and storage.
By completing your purchase, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

Additional Notes by Region:
■ United States
State taxes, such as Sales Tax, may be collected according to local regulations.
California Proposition 65:
Some vintage items may contain historical materials such as natural lacquer, pigments, metals, or antique finishes. This notice is provided for informational purposes only.
■ European Union (EU)
Our shop is not registered for IOSS or EU VAT collection.
Import VAT, customs processing fees, handling charges, or other import-related charges may be collected upon delivery according to local regulations.
These charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
■ United Kingdom
Our shop is not registered for UK VAT collection.
Import VAT and related charges may be collected upon delivery.
The buyer will be considered the importer of record for customs purposes.
■ Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand
Import VAT/GST, customs processing fees, handling fees, carrier fees, or other import-related charges may apply according to local regulations.
For Taiwan:
Registration with the EZ WAY app may be required for customs clearance.
■ Hong Kong
Hong Kong currently does not generally impose VAT/GST on imported goods.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions regarding our items, shipping, usage, dimensions, or condition, please feel free to contact us before purchasing.
We’re happy to assist you and will do our best to respond as promptly as possible.
Thank you for considering a piece from our kura — each item carries a quiet story shaped by time in Japan.
This piece is part of our curated collection discovered in rural Japan.
On our official website, we share:
– the story of the kura (traditional Japanese storehouse) where this item was discovered
– background on how similar objects were once used in everyday life
– exclusive collections and pieces not listed elsewhere
We hope these objects will continue their quiet journey with you.