Vintage item, never used. A refined set of Akazu-yaki 赤津焼 meimeizara (銘々皿) made by Sekihō-gama 赤峰窯, decorated with an elegant kikyō 桔梗 motif.
The set consists of five matching square individual plates, each with gently raised edges and a warm ivory-white glazed surface. The decoration features graceful bellflowers painted in deep purple, accompanied by dark green leaves and fine blue grasses. The restrained composition leaves generous open space around the flowers, giving each plate a quiet and balanced appearance.
Each plate also bears the painted signature 赤峰, identifying the work of Sekihō-gama 赤峰窯.
The kikyō (桔梗) is one of Japan’s traditional Seven Flowers of Autumn (秋の七草 / aki no nanakusa). Its distinctive star-shaped purple blossoms have long appeared in Japanese poetry, textiles, family crests and ceramics, and are associated with the refined seasonal atmosphere of late summer and autumn. Their simple, upright form makes them especially well suited to the understated aesthetics of Japanese tea and tableware.
Akazu-yaki (赤津焼) is a traditional ceramic style associated with Akazu in Seto, Aichi Prefecture, an important pottery-producing district within the wider Seto ceramic tradition. Akazu ware is known for its close connection with tea utensils and tableware, as well as for employing a wide variety of traditional glazes and decorative techniques.
As meimeizara (銘々皿), these plates were designed as individual serving dishes for each guest. They are ideal for wagashi, small sweets, fruit, appetizers, pickles or small side dishes, and would also work beautifully as decorative tea-table plates.
Size: 12 x 12 x 1.5cm
