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Object 2011372

Bowl

Japan

1700-1730

Height 77 mm (3.03 inch), diameter of rim 146 mm (5.75 inch), diameter of footring 53 mm (2.09 inch), weight 305 grams (10.76 ounce (oz.))

Bowl on footring, spreading straight rim. Imari, decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with flowering plants and a white hare running from foaming waves. Round the foot a band of floral sprays. On the bottom a single flower spray in a double concentric band.

This particular hare pattern is known on bowls, teacups and saucers and a rare milk jug, indicating that tea sets with matching parts were made for export.

The hare (usagi) is associated with the moon and old age. Legends says that the female conceives by running on the waves – represented by the curved underglaze blue lines - on the 18th day of the 8th month when the sky is clear and the moon is reflected in the water. The female can also conceive by licking the fur of the male during the same period or simply by gazing at the moon.

Another version of the legend tells of a white hare on the island of Oki who wanted to go to the mainland. As he could not swim, he cunningly asked a number of crocodiles to line up in the water, under the pretence of counting them, to see if there were more crocodiles in the sea than hares on Oki. He had almost reached the shore by jumping across their backs, when the last crocodile saw through his deception and snapped off all his fur before the hare leapt ashore. (Arts 1983, pp.113-114, p.143, plate 89), (Piggott 1997, pp.109-110), (Fitski 2002, p.6), (Jörg 2003/1, pp.117-118), (Fitski 2011, p158)

Yet another account says that the crocodiles ran after him and snapped his white fur to take revenge because he had laughed at them for their stupidity. After the hare repented and promised never to use deceit again, the fairy Okuni-nushi-no-Mikoto helped him regrow his fur.

For an identically shaped and decorated bowl, please see:

Fine & Curious: Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), pp.117-118, cat.126.

For other identically decorated objects, please see:

Fine & Curious: Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), p.197, cat. 247 & 247a.

Condition: Perfect.

References:

Arts 1983, pp.113-114 & p.143, plate 89

Piggott 1997, pp.109-110

Fitski 2002, p 6

Jörg 2003/1, cat. 126, 247 & 247a

Fitski 2011, p.158

Price: Sold.