How to Date Japanese Ceramics

Understand that the style Kakiemon is taken from the name of a family of potters whose color palette included blue, red and yellow. However, the name has been used for all decorated pieces that incorporate the familial palette even if the family had nothing to do with their creation. The decoration found on late 17th century jars, covers and other pieces in this style were sometimes decorated to reflect a European idea of the Orient.

Know that Imari wares are named after a port where Imari and Kakiemon pieces were exported. Imari pieces are more plentiful than Kakiemon wares, and they also are associated with an underglaze color palette that includes blue and iron red. Enamel colors in black, green or yellow also may be included on Imari vases and other pieces.

Consider that around the early 18th century, Nabeshima pieces were made for the lords of Hizen and intended as a tribute for the shogun. A contrasting color technique was used on the best pieces in which underglaze blue outlined a design, and the design was filled in with clear enamels. Typical pieces included saucers with tapered feet. Broken Nabeshima dishes have been found with gold lacquer repairs, attesting to the value placed upon those pieces by their owners.

Remember reforms began in Japan during the Meiji period from 1868 to 1912, and large quantities of Imari ceramics were created in Japan for export to the West. Mass-produced pieces included stencil patterns in blue. It was considered to be a substandard technique compared with the transfer printing on earlier porcelain and on English pieces dating from the 1760s.

Know that by 1900, the styles of Makusu Kozan porcelain marked a return to adept blue porcelain painting of the late 17th century. Pieces were produced for domestic use and for export. Additionally, the Fukaqawa factory was known for successfully using a range of underglaze colors along with applied decoration.

Familiarize yourself with Japanese ceramics by studying books and websites dedicated to the topic. There are many styles of Japanese pottery, and some are linked to a certain area, while others are connected to a family or particular person. Nonetheless, not all styles are classified in the same way.