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This imperial Kutani porcelain vase was made in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912), around 1880 / 1890, and is richly decorated. Standing on a narrow circular base the ovoid body rises to a pronounced shoulder with a short neck and convex lip. Decorated with a central figural scene in polychrome enamel between decorative bands of iron red and gilding encircling the foot and shoulder. Represented are immortals, scholars, rulers and Okame, the goddess of fertility. Each figure features a unique expression and is dressed in a richly ornamented robe. Numerous poems are inscribed in between. The base with centrally placed four character mark 锦苑 九 谷.
This vase was ether purchased or presented to the late US Army general Richard J. Seitz sometimes right after world war two ended and the occupation of Japan had it's beginning. At that time Mr. Seitz served from 1947 to 49, as one of the commanders during the time US military occupation of Japan . When his unit moved into northern Japan and assumed responsibility for Akita, Yamagata, Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures. The 11th division later took over control of Amori, Hokkaido, Fukushima and Prefectures to control of almost half the island of Honshu and all the island of Hokkaido.
I acquired this beautiful vase about two years ago from a local veterans charity group who sold it off at one of their fundraising events. Before the death of General Seitz in the summer of 2013, he had donated this vase to the DAV.
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