History: the Hirado Matsuura clan of Japan, which officially set up a kiln for the clan in the "Mikawachi" area, around 1643. The Karako painting (a picture of a Tang dynasty child playing with butterflies under a pine tree) was designated as the motif for the Hirado domain kiln, and was not allowed to be baked in kilns other than Mikawachi. This motif, which was called "Gift Karako" , was used separately as a gift for the Imperial court, the shogunate, the feudal lords, and for samurai. Mikawachi ware has long been regarded as a high class item thanks to its characteristic blue dye on white porcelain using asbolite pigment (an earthy mineral aggregate containing manganese and cobalt oxides), and its use of simple yet eye catching vivid blue. Marks: Sealed Four-character mark in blue underglaze. Measures: 10 x 10 inches. Approx. 2 inches deep. Item very heavy. Provenance: Hirado City, Japan. Acquired by us while living in Japan. Condition: Excellent. No chips or cracks, no repair. Ready to be collected or gifted to an avid collector. Interested buyers are highly encouraged to ask all necessary questions before purchase. Thank you.