🎎 This luminous Meiji-era porcelain plate features a flock of chidori (plovers) in motion above stylized waves—a design rooted in centuries of poetic tradition. Rendered in a deep green underglaze on milky white ceramic, the motif echoes the classic nami-chidori pairing: birds and surf, symbolizing perseverance, transience, and the beauty of life's ebb and flow.
Originating from Japan's folk art revival (mingei) and steeped in classical aesthetics, this piece evokes the seasonal poetry and serenity of the shore. The chidori motif—graceful, determined, endlessly in flight—was favored by artisans for its blend of symbolism and whimsy. Its rounded form and curved wings, paired with rolling wave patterns, speak softly of endurance and the quiet pulse of nature.
📏 Approximate dimensions
• Diameter: 14.2 cm
• Height: 2.2 cm
• Weight: 180g
• Material: Glazed ceramic
• Period: Likely late Meiji era (c. 1890s–1910s)
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with faint age patina and minor surface irregularities
From family crests to theatrical scenes, the chidori has long been a beloved subject in Japanese art, notably featured in the Noh play Sumidagawa and countless kimono and ceramic designs. In this dish, their simplified forms glide across the surface like visual haiku—rendered with restraint, yet filled with life.
Curated in Shizuoka City by Kurt Bell, this piece offers a quiet, tangible connection to Japanese folk tradition, resilience, and the timeless rhythm of the sea.
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