Dish with Reeds and Mist

c. 1700

Dish with Reeds and Mist, c. 1700. Japan, Edo period (1615-1868). Porcelain with underglaze blue and overglaze color enamel (Hizen ware, Nabeshima type); diameter: 20.1 cm (7 15/16 in.); overall: 5.6 cm (2 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance and Greta Millikin Collection 1964.271 The interior of this dish features clusters of reeds emerging from mist. The gradation of blue wash in the background suggests that the scene is set by still waters, perhaps the banks of a river or edge of a marsh. The celadon, or pale green glaze, evocative of mist or fog, contrasts visually with the reeds and water. Nabeshima dishes were produced in standard sizes of three, five, and seven sun (a traditional measurement of around 3 cm) in diameter.