LUCKY KAMINARI THUNDER PLATE (1940s)

We named this Kaminari, or Thunder in English, because the dramatic pattern reminded its former owner of the skies opening up as gods descend to bring downpours to earth. A shallow porcelain dish — not quite a bowl, but deeper than a flat plate, this piece of Arita porcelain dates to around the 1940s.

We love the details of auspicious motifs: gradient blue glaze lines with sections filled with the arches of seigaiha waves, and the colorful circles of green and yellow and green matsu pine leaves, surrounded by arabesque curls. The detail continues below the plate with bold blue lotus flowers and tiny stripes around the platform base.

It really is a little artwork.

Porcelain
Diameter 15.5 cm x Height 3.5 cm