Chosen Karatsu Plate

Among the many revered styles of Karatsu ware, Chosen Karatsu holds a special place for its quiet elegance and nuanced beauty, named after the historical Japanese term for Korea – Chosen. What sets Chosen Karatsu apart is its mesmerizing interplay of light and dark glazes melt together in the kiln. Chosen Karatsu does not shout for attention; it rewards slow looking. 
 
With a certificate of authenticity by Mitsuoka Tadanari (1907 – 1994), a distinguished Japanese scholar who devoted his entire academic life to the study of Japanese ceramics. Born in Mie Prefecture, he graduated in 1930 from the Department of Aesthetics and Art History at the Faculty of Letters, Tokyo Imperial University – a foundation that would shape his lifelong dedication to ceramic arts. Mitsuoka’s career began at the Yamato Bunkakan art museum, where he laid the groundwork for decades of scholarship and curatorial excellence. In 1968, he was appointed professor at Kyoto City University of Arts, solidifying his role as a central figure in the academic study of Japanese pottery and porcelain. In 1972, he became director of the Tekisui Museum of Art, a key institution in the preservation and presentation of ceramic heritage. In 1974, he joined Otemae Women’s University as a professor, where he continued to mentor students and contribute to ceramic research until his retirement in 1986. The following year, his contributions were formally recognized with the prestigious Fujio Koyama Memorial Prize for Ceramics. Through his teaching, writing, and curatorial work, Mitsuoka Tadanari left an enduring mark on the field. His scholarly rigor and deep appreciation for the cultural and historical significance of Japanese ceramics helped shape modern understanding of this art form. He passed away on August 22, 1994.
 
Large Plate
Momoyama Period, late 16th century
H: 6.8 cm (2½ in.)
D: 33.8 cm (13¼ in.)
With a certificate of authenticity by Mitsuoka Tadanari (1907-1994).
Wooden box