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.