Kinzan

Meiji period 19/20th century

1868-1912

Satsuma Plate

A finely detailed Satsuma plate in hand-painted polychrome paints and finished in gilt highlights. The scene depicts a temple within the mountains surrounded by pine trees. A large temple building on the right-hand side and a five-tire pagoda behind. Women, men and children are walking between rocks and Japanese maple trees.

The temple on this plate is Shitennō-ji in Osaka. A photo from the same perspective was taken by the stereo-view maker Underwood & Underwood in 1904. Known as the Temple of the Four Heavenly Kings, often regarded as the first Buddhist and oldest officially-administered temple in Japan.

Signed Kinzan

Size 187mm x 33mm