A rare “Black Ship” bowl from the Taisho period. Notice the Dutch figures. (Inset: Underside of the “Black Ship” bowl).

The term “Imari”, for the Japanese export porcelain we identify by that name, is strictly generic. It covers many different porcelains, such as Arita wares which were mainly blue-and-white, as well as polychrome enamel porcelain made by an assortment of potters. The wares were shipped through the Northern Kyushu port of Imari, from where they derive their name. A Chinese porcelain design made during the Ming period, and known today as “Chinese Imari,” was the inspiration for the Japanese potters.

An exceptionally well-decorated bowl from the Taisho period. Notice the lavish use of gold decoration. (Inset: Inside view of the Taisho-period bowl).

The decoration was cobalt blue with touches of green, iron red, and gold, the Chinese pieces being more sparsely decorated on a predominantly white background. Most of the ware was utilitarian. We find plates, cups, serving dishes, and teapots decorated with floral designs, animals, and scenes of Chinese life. The Japanese adopted this decoration and made it uniquely their own, as they did with so many other art objects they took from the Chinese.

Japanese Imari is divided into five time periods: Momoyama (1615); Edo (1615-1868); Meiji (1868-1912); Taisho (1912-1926); and Showa (1926 to the present). The earliest Imari, or “Old Imari”, was manufactured during the Momoyama period in western Japan, as the clay in that region was rich in iron, making it suitable for firing at high temperatures. This produced a hard and serviceable ware, perfect for utilitarian purposes. Most of these pieces were blue-and-white. During the Edo and Meiji periods, polychrome enamel decoration was favored by the Japanese aristocrats who were the main buyers of porcelain. There were five main colors: cobalt blue, iron red, blue, green, and gold.

As the Japanese masses prospered, they also demanded porcelain rather than the wood and lacquer utensils they used previously, and the high quality of Imari deteriorated to mass production.

In the late 19th century, when the Japanese opened their ports to the West, porcelain manufacturers of Imari and Satsuma introduced their porcelain to the world at the Exhibition in Paris in 1867. A large jar decorated with birds and flowers in the polychrome design was the beginning of our fascination with Imari porcelains.

The Fukagawa Family and Their Porcelain
Koransha was founded in 1875. Ezaiemon Fukagawa started to produce porcelain for export to Europe and America. He named his company “Koransha,” which means “The Company of the Scented Orchid.”

Sei Ji Kai Sha, which stands for
“The Company of Pure Water,” was founded in 1879 by members of the Fukagawa and other families in Arita
who were at one time associated with Koransha. The company made dinner ware for the Western market. In 1894, the Fukagawa Porcelain Manufacturing Company was founded. This company still exists today and manufactures some of the finest contemporary Imari. It is still being operated by the Fukagawa family.

Imari And The Collector
What To Look For
Brilliant colors, clear designs and pleasing forms. Avoid “muddy” and poorly-painted pieces. Do not buy restored or damaged wares.

Diversify
Choose from different designs: floral, animals, birds, tapestry, and people. Look for different background colors. Chocolate-brown is a rare and unusual color to collect. Buy a piece of Fukagawa–there is no finer Imari!

Unusual Shapes
Bird, fish, boat and fan designs are fun. Try to find a “Black Ship” piece, commemorating the Dutch traders and their sailing vessels. These are rare (and pricey)!

Prices
Imari porcelain is still affordable, although some of the unusual pieces are expensive. Small trays and plates, saki cups, and bowls can be purchased for under one-hundred dollars.

When In Doubt
Its best to consult an expert. There are many reputable dealers who specialize in Oriental porcelain. They will be happy to assist you.

Study
There are several good books on the market about Imari. “Famous Ceramics of Japan — Imari”, by Takeshi Nagatake and “Imari, Satsuma and Other Japanese Export Ceramics”, by Nancy N. Schiffer, are my favorites. They can be ordered through any bookseller or try your local library.

Handle, Hold, and Fondle
There is no better way to get to know the “feel” of any porcelain.

Get Going
There must be an antique show, flea market or trip in your future! Buy just one piece and you’ll be hooked!

Get more at this link

Fine EDO Ko-imari IMARI Gold Glaze Bottle Porcelain Jar $6,768.72

ANTIQUE JAPANESE 20 KAKEIMON IMARI OLD HAND ENAMEL SAUCE DISHES BIRDS DATED 1816 $6,221.25

ULTRA RARE 1815-1825 COALPORT IMARI 47 PIECE DINNER SET GREAT SHAPE $5,972.39

Royal Crown Derby Imari Evening Star 30 Piece Dinner Service New & 1st Quality $5,589.91

Royal Crown Derby Old Imari Holiday 30pc Dinner Service New & 1st Quality $5,555.27

19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE JAPANESE IMARI JARDINIERE $5,511.18

SAMSON IMARI ANTIQUE ORIENTAL ORMOLU MOUNTED JARDINIERE $5,117.53

Royal Crown Derby Imari 2451 30 Piece Dinner Service $4,499.49

Royal Crown Derby Old Imari 1128 30pc Dinner Service $4,416.82

★ FINE! Japanese IMARI Vase Jar Vesel (Europe Export) ★ $4,329.99

ANTIQUE 5 IMARI PLATES ” NANBANJIN / GOSOSEN ” EDO – MEIJI $4,329.99

ARITA IMARI Fine Porcelain KIKU Flower Ikebana Vase SGN $4,280.22

19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE DECORATIVE JAPANESE IMARI VASE $4,172.75

51 Pc Set 19thC ENGLISH IMARI IRONSTONE CHINA c1840-60 $3,832.29

Royal Crown Derby Japan Imari 30 Piece Dinner Service $3,771.22

Imari Porcelain Style – Pair Vases With Mermaids $3,673.03

Pair 3ft Silver Plate Imari Porcelain Pottery Urns $3,542.90

old signed Japanese IMARI BOWL Blue white porcelain + $3,483.90

Antique Chinese Gilt Imari Punch Bowl, Kangxi Ca1720 $3,434.13

Royal Crown Derby Imari 2451 Dinner Service 30 Pieces $3,373.63

Royal Crown Derby Old Imari 1128 Dinner Service 30pc $3,314.58

SAILOR ARITA GEN-EMON KILN IMARI CHERRY FOUNTAIN PEN HM $3,284.82

1870′s Ea. Meiji OUTSTANDING 24″ Imari / ARITA Charger $3,280.80

Royal Crown Derby Imari (12) Dinner Plates 383 1877-90 $3,185.28

Imari Porcelain Style – Pair Egg Shape Vases W. Brass $2,986.20

23 Pieces Royal Crown Derby Antique China 2113 Imari $2,986.20

Fine Large Meiji Period Imari Charger / 23+ Inches $2,986.20

COMPAGNIE DES INDES / JAPANESE EXPORT IMARI 18 EME $2,968.43

Imari Porcelain Style -Pair Blue Vase W. Floral Handle $2,886.66

Antique 19C Japanese IMARI Dore Bronze Centerpiece Bowl $2,683.10

Royal Crown Derby OLD IMARI Tureen w/ Lid & Underplate $2,499.45

Antique Chinese export imari punch bowl bronze mount 14×9″ $2,488.50

Japanese Imari Arita Tokkuri SAKE Jar Cups KAKIEMON Set $2,388.96

RARE GRAND PLAT CIE DS INDES IMARI CHINE KANGXI 18 EME $2,368.15

PLAT IMARI JAPON EDO FIN 17EME DEBUT 18 E PARFAIT ETAT $2,242.82

Royal Crown Derby Old Imari 1128 SGB Fruit Basket 1st Quality & Gift Boxed $2,078.50

Outstanding Set of 3 Japanese Imari Nesting Bowls Heavy Gilding c.1880 $1,989.81

Antique Chinese Gilt Imari Punch Bowl,18th C, Qianlong $1,941.03

Splendid Big Pair of 19thC Japanese Imari Porcelain Baluster Vases & Covers $1,941.03

TRES GRANDE COUPE CIE DS INDES IMARI JAPON EDO 18 E $1,978.96

Imari Porcelain Style – Big Center Pierce With Brss Birds $1,891.26

Important Museum Japanese Edo Imperial Chrysanthemum IMARI tripod Bowl $1,890.27

RARE JAPANESE IMARI PORCELAIN GEISHA PLATE $1,841.49

Royal Crown Derby OLD IMARI Round Compote 4245399 $1,802.67

Ko-Imari Nishikide Tsuru-Sennin –3 Bowls $1,791.72

Imari Nishikide Kinsai Ozaka Macho $1,791.72

Antique Japanese Blue Imari Platter – 1800s $1,791.72

ARITA IMARI Fine Porcelain Bottle by IMAEMON Imaizumi $1,692.18

ESTATE ROYAL CROWN DERBY IMARI SET 12 – 7″ PLATES NICE $1,687.20

beautiful japanese imari porcelain jars $1,680.24

TRES GRANDE COUPE CIE DS INDES IMARI JAPON KANGXI 18 E $1,583.16

A fine quality Chinese Imari plate made during Kangxi period (1662-1722) $1,566.75

TRES GRAND PLAT CIE DS INDES IMARI CHINE KANGXI 18 EME $1,517.20

FINE! Japanese IMARI kutani satsuma SAMURAI BIJIN Geisha Vase Jar Vessel Pitcher $1,493.10

19C Japanese Porcelain Kutani Imari Yoshidaya Kiln Koro $1,493.10

Imari Porcelain Style Pair Vase W. Brass Handles Black $1,493.10

JAPANESE PORCELAIN IMARI INCENSE BURNER $1,493.10

Antique Japanese Imari partial Dinnerware set 34 pcs $1,493.10

IMARI Charger MEIJI Large FINE $1,493.10

Two Early Imari Large Jars Vases Japanese Pottery $1,488.12

ANTIQUE IMARI BOWL ” NANBANJIN / GOSOSEN ” EDO – MEIJI $1,443.33

Antique 19th Century Imari charger $1,383.61

Rare japanese imari porcelain jar $1,373.65

Fabulous Imari Nishikide Deep Fuka Bachi Donburi $1,368.68

Japanese IMARI kutani Uchikake Geisha Doll Bijin Statue $1,343.79

05502: Large Imari Shallow Bowl Japan c. 1825 $1,313.93

Elaborately Detailed Rare Japanese Satsuma Imari Gilt Tea Set $1,289.04

Antique Rare Qing Imari Cobalt Blue White Chinese Plate Bowl Driftwood Blossom $1,253.21

Set of 6 Antique Imari Decorative Teacups & Saucers In Original Box F & M 1800′s $1,244.25

ARITA IMARI Fine Porcelain KIKU Flower Ikebana Vase SGN $1,244.25

Large Very Nice Antique Japanese Imari Charger/Plate $1,244.25

IMARI HAND PAINTED PLATES SOUP BOWLS AND COVERS-SIGNED $1,194.48

Outstanding Antique 19th Century Japanese Imari Umbrella Stand $1,194.48

PAIR OF JAPANESE 18 TH C IMARI PORCELAIN PLANTERS $1,194.48

Pair of Imari covered jars Japanese Arita $1,194.48

ESTATE ROYAL CROWN DERBY IMARI SET 12 – 6″ PLATES NICE $1,189.50

Lovely Signed 19th Century Japanese Imari Black Ship Plate $1,189.50

Ko-Imari Nishikide Kaku-Fuku Kakiemmon Bowls $1,094.94

3 WONDERFUL RARE SHAPED 19THC JAPANESE PORCELAIN MEIJI IMARI GILDED VASES $1,093.94

Grand cache-pot Imari $1,055.44

Imari – Japanese Export Porcelain

Click on image to see more variations.

ANTIQUE JAPANESE 20 KAKEIMON IMARI OLD HAND ENAMEL SAUCE DISHES BIRDS DATED 1816 $6,211.88

19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE JAPANESE IMARI JARDINIERE $5,511.23

★ FINE! Japanese IMARI Vase Jar Vesel (Europe Export) ★ $4,323.47

19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE DECORATIVE JAPANESE IMARI VASE $4,172.79

old signed Japanese IMARI BOWL Blue white porcelain + $3,478.65

COMPAGNIE DES INDES / JAPANESE EXPORT IMARI 18 EME $2,975.14

Antique 19C Japanese IMARI Dore Bronze Centerpiece Bowl $2,679.06

Japanese Imari Arita Tokkuri SAKE Jar Cups KAKIEMON Set $2,385.36

Outstanding Set of 3 Japanese Imari Nesting Bowls Heavy Gilding c.1880 $1,986.81

Splendid Big Pair of 19thC Japanese Imari Porcelain Baluster Vases & Covers $1,938.11

Important Museum Japanese Edo Imperial Chrysanthemum IMARI tripod Bowl $1,887.42

RARE JAPANESE IMARI PORCELAIN GEISHA PLATE $1,838.72

Antique Japanese Blue Imari Platter – 1800s $1,789.02

beautiful japanese imari porcelain jars $1,677.70

FINE! Japanese IMARI kutani satsuma SAMURAI BIJIN Geisha Vase Jar Vessel Pitcher $1,490.85

19C Japanese Porcelain Kutani Imari Yoshidaya Kiln Koro $1,490.85

JAPANESE PORCELAIN IMARI INCENSE BURNER $1,490.85

Antique Japanese Imari partial Dinnerware set 34 pcs $1,490.85

Two Early Imari Large Jars Vases Japanese Pottery $1,485.88

Rare japanese imari porcelain jar $1,371.58

Japanese IMARI kutani Uchikake Geisha Doll Bijin Statue $1,341.77

Elaborately Detailed Rare Japanese Satsuma Imari Gilt Tea Set $1,287.10

Large Very Nice Antique Japanese Imari Charger/Plate $1,242.38

Outstanding Antique 19th Century Japanese Imari Umbrella Stand $1,192.68

PAIR OF JAPANESE 18 TH C IMARI PORCELAIN PLANTERS $1,192.68

Pair of Imari covered jars Japanese Arita $1,192.68

Lovely Signed 19th Century Japanese Imari Black Ship Plate $1,187.71

3 WONDERFUL RARE SHAPED 19THC JAPANESE PORCELAIN MEIJI IMARI GILDED VASES $1,092.30

BIG★BIG Japanese ARITA IMARI Ikebana Vase Porcelain Jar $993.90

Japanese IMARI kutani Uchikake Geisha Doll Bijin Statue $944.21

Big Japanese IMARI Okimono – seated man w/book $893.52

ANTIQUE JAPANESE PORCELAIN IMARI ARITA PLATES MEIJI 14 – 8 1/4″ SCALLOPED EDGES $844.82

Japanese Edo Imari Wine Pot $794.13

Japanese Edo IMARI Porcelain Vase $794.13

Important Japanese Edo Imari Wine Pot $794.13

Japanese19 Century Imari Porcelain Plate Charger ~ 9.7″ $790.15

Beautiful 18th Century Edo Period Japanese Imari Dish $790.15

Japanese IMARI Shishi Dragon Foo KORO CELADON Censer $695.73

BEAUTIFUL RARE OLD VINTAGE HEXAGON SHAPE JAPANESE PORCELAIN IMARI PLATE/DISH $695.73

Amazing Imari Plate Meji Period japan japanese hand painted porcelain $694.74

Early 19 Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Bowl ~ 8.5″ $690.76

Pr Japanese Imari Offset Shape Plates 10″ c.1850-1875 Hand Decorated $690.76

Rare japanese imari porcelain large plate $684.40

WONDERFUL RARE BIG JAPANESE MEIJI IMARI PORCELAIN GILDED PAIR CHARGERS $654.98

19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Ribbed Imari Vase $646.04

Unusual Antique Japanese Imari Porcelain Charger or Plate signed $646.04

OUTSTANDING ANTIQUE JAPANESE IMARI VASE 19TH CENTURY $646.04

Pair Yamatoku Japanese Imari 17 inch Chargers $646.04

Early 20th Century Japanese Imari Bowl $596.34

ANTIQUE JAPANESE IMARI PORCELAIN CHINESE FOO DOG BUTTERFLY FOOTED URN GINGER JAR $596.29

Japanese Imari Okimono – woman w/ scroll $595.35

Large Antique Japanese Imari Porcelain Covered Bowl signed $591.37

Antique Japanese or Chinese Hand Painted Imari Plate/Bowl 19thC ? $571.49

Japanese Imari vase ! nice item $571.49

Rare japanese imari porcelain jars $564.54

WONDERFUL 17-18THC ANTIQUE JAPANESE PORCELAIN GILDED GENROKU IMARI GILDED PLATE $545.65

Pair Large Antique Japanese Imari Porcelain Bottle Form Vase $521.80

2 RARE OLD ANTIQUE CHINESE/JAPANESE IMARI RECTANGLE HAND PAINTED DISH PLATES $496.95

Vintage JAPANESE PORCELAIN TEMPLE IMARI LAMP READY JAR SET Hand Painted Floral $496.95

Large Japanese Imari 10 Inch Vase/Jar Converted to Lamp Late 19th Century Meiji $496.94

Japanese Imari Large Lamp Meiji c 1900 Fukagawa $496.94

4 WONDERFUL JAPANESE PORCELAIN MEIJI IMARI MIXED BOWLS $495.96

Pr. Japanese Imari Plates with Phoenix 8 1/2″ c.1830 $491.98

Large Japanese Imari bowl iron red birds Antique $491.98

old Estate VASE imari sake bottle Japanese porcelain $491.98

Beautiful Japanese Meiji Period Imari Bowl $491.98

18THC GILDED JAPANESE EDO PORCELAIN GREAT DECORATED IMARI DRAGON BIG CHARGER $476.08

WONDERFUL JAPANESE MEIJI IMARI PORCELAIN GILDED GEISHA PARADISE BIRD CHARGER $476.08

JAPANESE IMARI VASE MEIJI PERIOD BEEN USED AS LAMP $472.10

Rare japanese imari porcelain vases $455.21

Antique Japanese Imari Porcelain Footed Bowl $447.26

Old Japanese Kutani Imari Figurine Bird Pigeon on Rock $447.26

Japanese Seto Imari Pumpkin Buterfly Wall Vase $447.26

Japanese Imari Charger Plate Phoniex Bird Flower $447.26

Japanese imari arita large blue white charger $447.26

Antique Japanese Imari Arita Porcelain Bowl c1670+ C $447.25

Antique Japanese Arita Imari Bowl Porcelain c1670+ A $447.25

Meiji Period Japanese Imari Bowl $442.29

WONDERFUL COBALT BLUE WHITE RED JAPANESE PORCELAIN MEIJI IMARI BALLUSTER VASE $426.38

Gilt vintage Japanese Imari charger $397.56

Japanese Imari Vase