Lovely 18th Century Japanese Nagazara (Long Dish) w/Painted Seascape

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Offered is a lovely 18th Century (circa 1770-1800) Japanese blue and white Arita porcelain nagazara (which translates roughly as "long dish") of squeezed rectangular form, painted entirely by hand with a marine view. This is entirely appropriate, as the purpose of such nagazara was to serve fish.

The reverse is decorated to the sides with small vignettes or glimpses of some of the same scenery. There are no reign marks or fuku-type marks, but based on the painting, weight, proportions and glaze, I am confident this piece was made in the late 18th Century in Arita.

This nagazara measures approximately 7 3/4 inches in length, 4 3/8 inches wide, and 1 5/8 inches high, though the measurements vary somewhat at different points on the piece. It is heavily potted at 496 grams. Condition overall is quite good for a more than two century old piece, with one small, old chip to the rim that is smooth to the touch, and a few glaze skips, glaze pops and burn spots from the firing of the piece. There is also one minor, very shallow chip to the footrim that doesn't affect the piece.

This dish sits firmly and evenly on a flat surface, with no wobble. The Gosu Blue is a lovely shade, and painting style and scene are quite engaging. All in all a lovely piece of Edo period Japanese sometsuke / Imari porcelain!