Large Imari dish 45 cm in diameter, Japanese porcelain

Large imari dish of 45 cm in diameter, porcelain from japan, with floral decoration in the cartridges with in the center the dog-lion protector komainu. Komainu are animals halfway between the dog and the lion. Their role is to ward off all evil spirits and provide protection to the deities. They symbolize power and strength and are considered the guardians of sacred places. The cartridge under the dish means: "product made in the nine valleys of greater japan". Formerly japan was called greater japan. The nine valleys define kyushu, the southernmost island and closest to korea and china. The imari style was taken up by the chinese and europeans, imari being the seaport of kyushu island from where porcelain originated. This dish is in perfect condition.