When the history of the role of utensils used in Japanese eating habits is re-examined, for a long period of time people ate from bowls and small dishes served on individual dining trays. It was not until the 16th century that oversized dishes (“ozara”) first became popular among the wealthy urban elite, and paintings since the Edo period often depicted ozara as an important part of the décor for formal gatherings. In the early 19th century, when ordinary townspeople had become affluent and restaurants multiplied, the popularity of large blue and white dishes became even more widespread. In response to this new affluence, large dishes were produced in some quantity and sold throughout Japan. With the penetration of urban culture to rural districts due to improved land and sea transportation, Arita porcelain became widely distributed, and many of these oversized dishes were used at large dinner parties held by leading families in rural districts. Several similar examples are illustrated in the rare limited edition book “Sometsuke Imari Ozara” (“Imari Ware: Blue and White Large Dishes”) by Masahiko Kawahara, Tokyo,1974. This bold and impressive charger is wonderfully decorative and historically important. Condition is excellent, with only a few kiln burns and some minor glaze pinholes. Dimensions: 17 ¾” diameter, 2 ½” deep.

Also called guest hibachi, all tabako-bon contained two essential parts: (1) a small receptacle like a miniature hibachi where small bits of charcoal (sumi) were kept burning among ashes for use in lighting tobacco, and (2) a piece of slender bamboo, cut right below a joint, which was used as both an ashtray and a hand-held cuspidor. Some boxes also had little drawers built in for keeping tobacco and pipes. Tobacco boxes reached their peak use in the Edo period, when smoking was widespread among both men and women and etiquette demanded that tobacco be offered to visitors or friends. Custom demanded that whenever a visitor arrived, the first act of welcome would be to set a small personal hibachi in front of him. This was also true of commercial shops. The strong kizami tobacco was smoked only in small amounts in slender pipes with tiny pipe bowls (kiseru). Production of smoker’s hibachi ceased at the end of the 19th century, when cigarettes became fashionable and virtually replaced pipe smoking. Finished on the top and all four sides, this finely-crafted old box makes a charming interior accessory which views well from any angle. It is suitable for burning incense, holding a flower arrangement or adorning a coffee table or sideboard. It also may be used for its traditional purpose. Condition is excellent. Dimensions: 13 ½” x 6 ¾” x 6” high.

CONDITION is excellent, and the cord appears to be original. DIMENSIONS: 7 1/8” long, 2 ¼” deep, 5” high.