Pair of "Acacia" plates by Kaiji Tsukamoto (塚本 快示) - Living National Treasure

Description

Kaiji Tsukamoto (
塚本
快示
,
1912 - 1990) is a famous Japanese ceramicist who was certified a Living National Treasure of Japan in 1983, for his work in
Seihakuji
(
青白磁
)
, a pure white porcelain with an ice-blue glaze. This beautiful pair of plates appears to date to shortly after his certification, since the enclosed leaflet records the certification but has a most recent date of Showa 59 (1984). In my view, this makes them even more desirable.
The beauty in these exquisite pieces is more than just their visual subtlety and perfect execution. The flower patterns are all hand-carved in the leather-hard clay before biscuit firing, glazing and glaze firing.
This technique reflects the Qingbai celadons of the Chinese Song dynasty, on which they are modelled.
The art of these pieces is a beautiful but restrained carving beneath the glaze. The varying thickness of the glaze then shows the pattern.
The patterns are
definitely not stamped, since each  varies in very minor details.
Unfortunately, because they are so fine and delicate, they are extremely hard to photograph clearly. I have done the best that I can, but if the photos do not convince, I can assure you that the carving is exquisite, as befits a Living National Treasure at the height of his fame, and will stand any inspection.
The hand-written label on the cardboard presentation box says
"Sei haku ji a ka shi ya mon myo"
, meaning "blue (glazed) white porcelain acacia pattern plate". The acacia sprigs look like an Australian wattle to me, which is possibly why the plates came to Australia in the first place. The calligraphy to the left is "
Tsukayama
", which is Tsukamoto's art name (
go
).
There is no damage to either plate. There are in perfect unused condition, despite being about 35 years old. They are larger than some of Tsukamoto's other work, being 22.5 cm in diameter. There is a seal mark for Tsukamoto’s kiln on the reverse of each plate.
Unfortunately, there is only one presentation box, which is cardboard, in generally good condition. I believe that, originally, there would have been a second box.
Please note, this item is located in Australia, but ebay has listed it as though it is in the USA. So I have set postage as a standard US. But, for buyers in Australia, please contact me for a substantial postage discount.
I have many other antique and vintage Japanese and Chinese ceramics and other items for sale. Please check out my other listings through clicking on "See other items".