Customer Reviews

The Story of Imari: The Symbols and Mysteries of Antique Japanese Porcelain

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I oollect and enjoy old Japanese ceramics. Always wanting to learn more, I purchased and read this book. The author, a Japanese professor of mathematics, is also a collector. Two of the things that I lked about this book, and of which I think would add to the knowledge base of other interested parties if they read this book are: 1. The background history and stories of Japanese porcelain such as the kidnapping of the Korean potters back to Japan which gave influence to the Japanese porcelain making trade, and, 2. The tea ceremony which inspired a deep artistic and cultural passion in Japan for fine porcelain objects. The book also gives very valuable technical detail for old Japanese ceramics that can't easily be found elsewhere. For example, information on kiln spur marks and the use of Chinese reign designations on the back of some of the old Japanese porcelain objects. I highly recommend this book for those with a mild or passing interest and advanced collectors alike. Very nice and informative.

This beautiflly produced, erudite, book is a treat for anyone interested in deepening their knowledge about the glories of Japanese porcelain from the late 16th century onward. Over 150 examples, in color, are meticulously discussed both with respect to their artistic qualities and within their historical contexts.

Arita phenomenon is something very special in porcelain history. Heiress of a Chinese tradition but very Japanese (Korean, sometimes, indeed) in taste, Imari ware have brought to us diverse kinds of very refined hand decorated porcelain "oeuvres d'art", from the pale greyish blue underglaze cobalt painting of "Ai Imari" and the colorfull richnes of "Ko Imari" overglaze decoration and "Kinrande", to the exquisite work of the Meiji period New Imari Era. Imari porcelain can be so great, it deserves having the marks of "Da Ming -- Nian Zhi" (Daimin -- Nensei). A great handbook for all interested in Imari styles and marks.Imari (Famous Ceramics of Japan #6)