Charger - Ceramic - Antique Seto - Japan - 19th century

Large, antique, Seto-ware Umanome plate. Japan. Approximately 150 years old. Heavy and rugged in appearance. Features hand-painted ‘horse eye’ spirals. These spirals were painted using iron oxide and decorate the edges of the plate. The main star of this plate is a hand-painted depiction of an Oni no Nenbutsu. An Oni is a goblin or demon. This Oni no Nenbutsu is a chanting Buddhist Oni. This particular type of Oni wears Buddhist priest attire and recites the Nenbutsu, a chant for salvation. They are often depicted carrying a wooden hammer for striking a golden bell, and in their left hand they carry a ledger for documenting our sins. The Otsu area in Shiga Prefecture popularized this type of demon with their Otsu-e folk art paintings. During the 1600s paintings of Oni no Nenbutsu were sold along the roadside in Otsu, the last post town on the Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads before arriving in Kyoto. This is a large and durable plate and an excellent collector’s item. Please note that Umanome pieces were never signed as they were mass produced utilitarian wares, but they are now quite valuable because of the mingei folk art movement. Those depicting Oni such as this one are not as common in my collecting experience. H. 4. 6cm (1. 8”) x Dia. 28. 3cm (11. 1”) Condition Several small chips on front, plus one bigger chip. There’s one bigger chip on the back as well, and a few tiny chips. There are surface imperfections on the back and front of the plate. DISCLAIMER: Please READ below before bidding. Please examine photos carefully. They are part of the description. We do our best to disclose anything that will impact value and / or desirability. Ages and descriptions stated are our opinions based on over 30 years experience in selling antiques. All items are sold "as is". You the buyer are ultimately responsible for agreeing or disagreeing with our opinions BEFORE placing a bid. You the buyer are responsible for ALL fees incurred. Attention Customers from Spain: The Taiwan Post has suspended service to your country. Only private courier is available at double the rate.