Brilliant porcelain across the Pacific Ocean – Old Noritake: Beauty Bridging East & West

[Inscription] SEIFŪ Shofu Kajou "Shofu' in dying inscription

[Year of Manufacture] Late Meiji Era

SHŌFŪ Kajō III (1870 – 1928) was a Kyoto ceramist born as the eldest son of ceramic artisan INOUE En-nen of Seto, Aichi Prefecture. His real name was INOUE Tsunetarō. The Kyoto Ceramic Company was established in 1887, and young Tsunetarō lived in Kyoto with his father. The latter had moved there to work as a section manager for the company's production department. After that, he was adopted by SHŌFŪ Kajō II, a colleague of his father. In 1906, he established the Shōfū Ceramic Company, which was equipped with the most modern facilities. Although this piece is small in size, the loquats featured in its design are drawn in gradated yellow coloring with skillful brush strokes, and their visual balance with the accompanying leaves is also perfection.