Porcelain vase with polychrome shishi decoration on a background of various traditionally decorated friezes, Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) Inspired by the archaic Chinese zun form, this white porcelain vase is decorated in blue underglaze and polychrome enamel overglaze. The neck is adorned with a frieze of red and white Hanabishi-style flowers on a blue ground, and below, a frieze of gilded hiashi (sunbeams) motifs on an amime (fishing net eye) ornament, the intersections showing polychrome floral geometric motifs. The body is decorated with six shishi in blue and green on a complex background of friezes of various shapes, first a hokusaï monyô (decoration created by Hokusaï from the hishi: "diamond" motif) alternately containing karakusa (grass arabesques) on a red background, kake aoi (hanging hollyhocks) on a yellow background and asa no ha (hemp leaves) in red on a glaze. Below, two bands of kazan (flowering mountain) set in blue underglaze with polychrome decoration inspired by archaic motifs, moon rabbits, hoho, taotie mask... On the foot, a band of facing kui dragons. Under the foot a kotobuki mark - ? (longevity) and the mark ???? - made by Nanri". Height: 63 cm Large firing crack under the foot. Nanri Kaju II (1817-1880) or Higuchi Tahei was a 19th-century potter who worked in a secondary kiln in Arita, Zoshuntei Sanpo, the Hizen kiln, established in 1841 to make wares specifically for trade with the Dutch.