The term "Imari", for the Japanese export porcelain we identify by that name, is strictly generic. It covers many different porcelains, such as Arita wares which were mainly blue-and-white, as well as polychrome enamel porcelain made by an assortment of potters. The wares were shipped through the Northern Kyushu port of Imari, from where they derive their name. A Chinese porcelain design made during the Ming period, and known today as "Chinese Imari," was the inspiration for the Japanese potters.
The decoration was cobalt blue with touches of green, iron red, and gold, the Chinese pieces being more sparsely decorated on a predominantly white background. Most of the ware was utilitarian. We find plates, cups, serving dishes, and teapots decorated with floral designs, animals, and scenes of Chinese life. The Japanese adopted this decoration and made it uniquely their own, as they did with so many other art objects they took from the Chinese.

Japanese Imari is divided into five time periods: Momoyama (1615); Edo (1615-1868); Meiji (1868-1912); Taisho (1912-1926); and Showa (1926 to the present). The earliest Imari, or "Old Imari", was manufactured during the Momoyama period in western Japan, as the clay in that region was rich in iron, making it suitable for firing at high temperatures. This produced a hard and serviceable ware, perfect for utilitarian purposes. Most of these pieces were blue-and-white. During the Edo and Meiji periods, polychrome enamel decoration was favored by the Japanese aristocrats who were the main buyers of porcelain. There were five main colors: cobalt blue, iron red, blue, green, and gold.

As the Japanese masses prospered, they also demanded porcelain rather than the wood and lacquer utensils they used previously, and the high quality of Imari deteriorated to mass production.

In the late 19th century, when the Japanese opened their ports to the West, porcelain manufacturers of Imari and Satsuma introduced their porcelain to the world at the Exhibition in Paris in 1867. A large jar decorated with birds and flowers in the polychrome design was the beginning of our fascination with Imari porcelains.

Koransha was founded in 1875. Ezaiemon Fukagawa started to produce porcelain for export to Europe and America. He named his company "Koransha," which means "The Company of the Scented Orchid."

Sei Ji Kai Sha, which stands for "The Company of Pure Water," was founded in 1879 by members of the Fukagawa and other families in Arita who were at one time associated with Koransha. The company made dinner ware for the Western market. In 1894, the Fukagawa Porcelain Manufacturing Company was founded. This company still exists today and manufactures some of the finest contemporary Imari. It is still being operated by the Fukagawa family.

You can find Approximate prices for quality Imari Chargers at www.rubylane.com  , http://www.antique-chinese-porcelain.com/page/chineseimari or http://www.trocadero.com . Prices vary widely as the dates of the pieces are difficult to determine. Chinese pieces are even harder to determine that the Japanese pieces. Japanese Imari from the 19th century and earlier has kiln marks on the larger pieces. The markings on the back vary and at times later markings are added to identify the year and type of porcelain.

All the pieces we deal with are at least 50 years old. They come from an estate sale and were bought from Japan in the 1960's. Some of the pieces can be aged by the kiln marks, others by the style of the ink and paintings. All pieces are handpainted and in mint condition.