A Meiji period boxed set of 10 Kikko-yaki Pottery dishes decorated with seasonal birds and flowers by various Osaka artists, each dish stamped Kikko and enclosed in a compartmentalized wooden box titled Kacho Moyo Kikko Funagata Mukozuke (Juninmae) (10 Boat shaped dishes decorated with birds and flowers from Kikko) Artists included are Ueda Koho (1860-1944) and his father Ueda Kochu (1819-1911) signed in his 83rd year which puts the set at being created in 1901. Each dish is 16 x 12.5 x 4.5 cm (roughly 6-1/2 x 5 x 2 inches) and all are in excellent condition.
The Kikko Kiln was established in Osaka in the opening years of the 19th century by Iyo native Toda Jihe, who had learned the ceramic arts in Kyoto under all of the great names of the time, Kiyomizu Rokubei I, Ryonyu the 9th generation head of the Raku family, and Ninnami Dohachi among others. He would be known as Jusanken Shogetsu. After being noticed by then Daimyo of Osaka area Mizuno Tadakuni, he received the kiln name Kikko. His works were distributed as gifts among the Daimyo, and he was called to work in many fiefs creating “Niwa Yaki” kilns throughout Japan. During the Meiji the kiln would be split into two continuing lineages, one using Jusanken stamp, the other Kikko Shogetsu.
