Pair of Fukagawa Seiji Porcelain Iris Vases, Arita, Japan, circa 1905-20

Pair of Fukagawa Seiji Porcelain Iris Vases, 1905-20, late Meiji to early Taishō Period

An elegant pair of Japanese Pair of Fukagawa Seiji Porcelain Iris Vases, one of Japan’s most celebrated porcelain manufacturers. The vases feature a graceful composition of blooming irises painted in underglaze cobalt blue with soft orange and cream enamels against a finely gilt arabesque ground. A geometric border inspired by traditional Japanese textile patterns encircles the neck, adding a refined decorative accent.

The bases bear the characteristic Mount Fuji and flowing water trademark above the underglaze blue mark 深川製, meaning “Made by Fukagawa.” This mark identifies the vases as products of Fukagawa Seiji, the renowned Arita porcelain workshop established in 1894 by Fukagawa Chūji. The company achieved international acclaim after winning the Grand Prix at the Paris Exposition of 1900 and later became an official supplier to the Imperial Household of Japan. Its distinctive combination of brilliant white porcelain and vivid underglaze cobalt blue became known as the Fukagawa Style, admired both in Japan and abroad.

The iris, or hanashōbu, is one of Japan’s most cherished floral motifs. Associated with elegance, renewal, and the arrival of early summer, it has inspired artists and craftsmen for centuries. On this pair, the elongated blue leaves create a strong vertical rhythm, while the delicately shaded blossoms provide a striking contrast in color and form. The restrained palette and meticulous hand decoration reflect the refined aesthetic that distinguished Fukagawa’s finest decorative wares during the early twentieth century.

Beautifully proportioned and richly detailed, these vases make impressive decorative objects for both traditional and contemporary interiors.

H: 12.20 in. (31 cm), D:  8.27 in. (21 cm)