Japanese plate marked Kaiyosha dating from between 1878-1885 so made within that seven year period. Depicting an illustration of a Kyogen play.

The traditional high theatre of Japan was the Noh theatre.  Plays would go on for hours and hours and be very intense, very serious.  So as part of the art form, breaks were included where short colourful humourous plays would be staged.  These plays were known as the KYOGEN plays.

This plate depicts a play knowns as "The monkey quiver".  A lord sees this money on the street and wants it.  At the time money fur was in vogue to put on your quiver, so he intends to kill it and use its fur.  But the money has an owner, a trainer who has trained his monkey to dance.  The lord insists on having the monkey and is carrying a big club and is going to club it to death, and the owner dare not argue with the lord.  But then the monkey dances,  and moves the lord to tears, and so the monkey does not die in the end but survives to see another day.

The fabric of their clothes would have been colourful and this is nicely depicted in the graphic style of this plate.  

Made by the Kaiyosha company who dealt with a few quite well known artizans of the day, and produced high quality wares in their boutique shop in Japan.  Kaiyosha company was only in operation for a short time of seven years so this plate is a rarity.

This is one of a pair of plates currently in stock.

Makers marks:
Iron red on-glaze written mark translated as KAIYOSHA

Dimensions:
183 mm diameter

Weight:
207 g

Age:
139 years

Condition:
Good antique condition.  One small rim chip as shown in the pictures, and some enamel losses and rubbing.  Presents well.

Maker:
Kaiyosha