Item Description Antique Japanese Arita Porcelain Square Bottle Vase — Old Imari Blue-and-White with Full Japanese Provincial Map Decoration — Meiji Period A rare and visually captivating antique square bottle vase (kakubin) in Arita porcelain (Imari), decorated in bold cobalt blue underglaze with one of the most unusual and historically fascinating motifs to appear on Japanese ceramics: a full map of Japan rendered in the traditional provincial system (Gokishichidō / 旧国名), covering all four sides of the vessel in extraordinary detail. The form is a tall, elegant square-section bottle with a short cylindrical neck, the pure white porcelain body providing a luminous ground for the deep, saturated blue decoration. All four faces of the bottle are painted with a continuous composition: rolling ocean waves (seigaiha pattern — the overlapping wave scales that reference both sea and sky in classical Japanese decoration) rise from the base and cascade upward, against which the outline of Japan's islands is laid out as a large cartographic form. Within this map, the old provincial names of Japan — including Mutsu (陸奥), Dewa (出羽), Echizen (越前), Bizen (備前), Bitchū (備中), Harima (播磨), Iyo (伊予), Settsu (摂津), Ōsaka (大坂), Ise (伊勢), Tōtōmi (遠江), Yamato (大和), Kawachi (河内), Kii (紀伊), Chōsen (朝鮮) and many others — are inscribed within the landscape shapes of their respective regions in fine hand-painted calligraphy, creating a meticulous and deeply learned decoration that functions simultaneously as art and geography. The provincial naming system (Gokishichidō) depicted here was the official administrative division of Japan used from the Nara period until the Meiji administrative reforms of the 1870s, meaning this cartographic scheme carries profound historical resonance. As a decorative motif on ceramics it is exceptionally rare, reflecting the pride and national awareness of the Meiji periods. The base is glazed with a simple blue square border in the classical Imari tradition. There is no maker's mark. Two minor kiln-period imperfections are present: a small brown speck on one shoulder and a slight glaze irregularity near the base corner, both occurring during manufacture and under the glaze — neither affects the beauty or integrity of the piece. Size Height: 21 cm Width: 8.3 cm Depth: 8.3 cm Mouth diameter (exterior): 2.8 cm Weight 715 g Condition The vase is in good antique condition. Two minor manufacturing-period imperfections are present: a small brown speck on the shoulder and a slight surface irregularity at the base corner, both beneath the glaze and present from production. No chips, cracks, or repairs. No box or signature. NOITICE: The photos may show flowers, plants, pedestals, etc. as examples of decorations and interior design for illustrative purposes, but please note that these are not included in the product. The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by DHL , FedEx or Japan Post depend on the situation. It takes about 10 Days to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customs or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to us and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. We do appreciate for your kind cooperation.