Gilded Imari plate, late 19th century (c. 1880–1910), Meiji period, Japan. A striking kozara (小皿) serving plate featuring in the center the motif of the Three Friends of Winter — bamboo, pine, and flowering plum. Such imagery refers to the traditional Japanese genre of flower-and-bird painting (kachō-ga) and symbolizes the beauty of nature as well as the cyclical rhythm of the seasons. The wide surrounding panel is decorated with a rich ornament typical of the Imari palette, combining iron red, green, and gold, with vegetal motifs, leaves, and stylized geometric elements inspired by the brocade patterns used in luxury kimono textiles (kinran-de style). The outer rim is adorned with a classic hana-tasuki geometric pattern painted in underglaze cobalt, forming a repeating diamond lattice. This particular type of border appears very frequently on Imari plates exported to Europe between 1880 and 1910 and was especially favored by European buyers because it evoked the decorative aesthetics of Chinese Kangxi porcelain. The reverse of the plate is decorated with a continuous underglaze cobalt floral frieze. On the base there is a square workshop mark in underglaze blue, typical of export porcelain produced in the Arita region during the Meiji period. Plates of this type were used for serving central dishes during kaiseki meals. Porcelain plate decorated in underglaze cobalt (sometsuke) and overglaze enamels (akae) in iron red, green, and gold. A high-quality example with beautifully executed hand-painted decoration. Excellent condition.