Pair Of Meiji Satsuma Dishes By Shuzan For Yasuda, Japan C. 1890–1905

This beautifully matched pair of Meiji-period Satsuma dishes was produced in Kyoto for the Yasuda export company and signed underneath by the artist Shuzan (秀山). Hand-thrown bodies give each dish a slightly different diameter, but the compositions were clearly planned together from the outset, forming a true visual pair. In the main scenes, a spring procession moves beneath flowering cherry trees: elegant women, attendants and children walking through a watery landscape of bridges and distant hills. The painting is remarkably fine, with soft enamels and raised gold catching the light. Below each landscape is a small interior vignette with lacquer stands, ceramics and folded textiles, adding a sense of domestic refinement typical of late 19th-century Kyoto Satsuma. The wide borders are conceived almost as textile collages. Fans, kimono patterns and floral reserves—peony, chrysanthemum and prunus—are arranged over finely textured gilt grounds. The reverses show the characteristic warm crackled glaze associated with Kyoto production, together with the red lozenge signature of Shuzan and the Yasuda company mark. Measurements • Dish 1 – Diameter 22.4 cm (8.8″), Height 4 cm (1.6″) • Dish 2 – Diameter 21.8 cm (8.6″), Height 4 cm (1.6″) Condition Excellent overall condition for the period. The enamels remain crisp and the gilding is still rich, with only light rubbing to the very outer rims. No chips, cracks, hairlines or restorations. Both dishes have been inspected under UV light and show no overpainting. As a pair they make a strong display on a wall or in a cabinet and offer both decorative impact and historical appeal. Shipping & Packaging Shipped fully tracked and insured. Packed using recycled materials where possible. Please study all photographs as they form part of the description. Questions are welcome.