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This is a vintage Japanese Imari-style decorative 10.5” diameter plate made by Otagiri Mercantile Company (OMC), featuring a central blue-and-white foo dog design surrounded by a colorful geometric honeycomb and floral pattern.
The center design features a blue-and-white medallion showing a mythical foo dog (or lion) amidst floral peony motifs.
The border features a vibrant multicolor geometric honeycomb (kikkō) pattern accented with panels of phoenixes, floral sprays, and chrysanthemum medallions.
The edge of the plate features a scalloped or lobed rim typical of traditional Imari export porcelain reproductions.
Based on the physical markings on the back of the plate, this piece was manufactured between the mid-1970s and the 1980s.
This stunningly gorgeous plate is in “MINT” condition!!
There are no irregularities found!
*All items are either my own or inherited, so are described & fairly priced (measurements, irregularities, age, etc.) to the best of my ability.
*All items are sold AS-IS, so please diligently look at all photos & read the item description carefully.
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The identification of this plate is confirmed by two distinct marks:
*The Blue Square Backstamp - This is the mark of the Kozan Kiln (庫山窯 - Kozan-gama) in Japan, a pottery producer famous for its vibrant Kutani and Imari-style porcelain pieces.
*The Silver Foil Sticker: This is the iconic "OMC Japan" crest belonging to the Otagiri Mercantile Company, the firm that commissioned and imported the plate to the West.
About the Manufacturer and Importer: *Kozan Kiln (Kozan-gama)~Based in Japan, Kozan Kiln specialized in mid-to-late 20th-century high-quality porcelain reproduction pieces. They focused heavily on historical revival styles—specifically mixing the bold color palettes of Kutani ware with the intricate paneled layouts of Imari ware. This specific line features the trademark Tsuya-beni (vibrant red base), gold-gilt filigree scrollwork, multi-colored Kikkō (hexagonal honeycomb) panels, and an underglaze cobalt blue Shishi (mythical foo lion/dog) center surrounded by blooming peony flowers.
*Otagiri Mercantile Company (OMC) ~Founded in 1947 by the Otagiri family, the company operated as a major wholesale importer headquartered in San Francisco. OMC acted as a cultural bridge. They hired American artists and collaborated with upscale West Coast department stores, contracting highly skilled regional Japanese kilns (like Kozan) to fabricate products that blended traditional Eastern techniques with Western tastes.
Collectibility: OMC did not officially register its U.S. trademark until 1980. The company was sold to Enesco Corporation in 1994, which completely phased out production of the Otagiri lines. Because they are no longer made, pieces maintaining their original foil stickers like this plate, are highly sought after by vintage collectors.
Meaning of the Japanese Flowers:
Traditional Imari and Kutani ceramic styles frequently layer multiple auspicious floral motifs into a single piece.The two flowers are displayed in distinct sections of the design:
1. Peonies (Botan). The dominant flower featured prominently in the large, blue-and-white center circle wrapped around the foo dog, as well as inside the small kidney-shaped white panels on the border. They are illustrated as large, lush, multi-petaled blossoms with leafy, flowing green stems. Known as the "King of Flowers" in Japan, the peony symbolizes wealth, nobility, good fortune, and high social status.
2. Chrysanthemums (Kiku). The stylized red-and-white circular crests positioned along the inner edge of the border, intersecting the honeycomb blocks. You can also spot tiny stylized gold chrysanthemums inside the individual orange and blue honeycomb scales. They are rendered with neatly radiating, uniform petals extending outwards from a central point. The chrysanthemum represents longevity, rejuvenation, and the imperial family. Its presence alongside the peony adds a wish for a long, healthy, and prosperous life.
Meaning of the Japanese Foo Dog & Phoenix:
In Japanese culture and folklore, pairing a foo dog with a phoenix on a single object represents a powerful cosmic balance, symbolizing ultimate protection, harmony, and prosperity.
Here is the specific breakdown of what each creature represents:
1. The Foo Dog (Shishi / Imperial Lion)The mythical blue creature in the center circle is a Shishi (often called a foo dog or lion dog in the West). Historically placed at the entrances of temples and palaces, they are fierce guardians meant to ward off evil spirits, negative energy, and bad luck. Because lions are not native to Japan, they were mythologized as magical kings of beasts representing supreme strength, royalty, and spiritual authority. The Peony Connection: In Japanese art, the Shishi is almost always paired with peonies (as seen on this plate). The peony is the "king of flowers" and the lion is the "king of beasts." Together, they symbolize a perfect union of wild power and refined beauty.
2. The Phoenix (Hō-ō). The elegant blue bird depicted inside the oval border panels is the Hō-ō, the Japanese phoenix. Unlike the Western phoenix that burns and rises from the ashes, the East Asian phoenix is a peaceful creature that only appears during times of peace, justice, and enlightened rule. It represents celestial grace, virtue, and immense good luck. Its appearance is considered a highly auspicious blessing on a household.
Yin and Yang Balance: When featured alongside a powerful land creature like the Shishi, the phoenix represents the sky/yin (grace and peace), balancing out the earth/yang (strength and protection) of the lion dog.
Summary of the Plate's Meaning:
When a family displays a plate with both creatures, it acts as a visual blessing for the home: "May this household be fiercely protected from harm, and may it be blessed with enduring peace, wealth, and good fortune."
