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Bring mid-century elegance to your vanity or table setting with this gorgeous pair of vintage Japanese decorative square plates.
This pair creates a perfect, complementary seasonal botanical set:
Plate 1 (Spring): Features a blooming Plum Blossom (Ume) branch rendered in gold-gilt and pink tones, signifying resilience and renewal.
Plate 2 (Autumn): Features radiating golden Chrysanthemums (Kiku), the traditional imperial flower representing longevity and rejuvenation.
Good vintage condition. Some minor scratching expected for age, some additional gold spots on Chrysanthemum dish. See pics. I‘m not sure if it is wear, or how it was made during the manufacturing process.
This specific item is an elegant, highly collectible vintage Japanese luxury piece: a copper engraved, gold- and silver-decorated square confectionery dish (kashiki). It features a traditional chrysanthemum pattern and was detailed by the master engraver Yoshishige Teramoto (often documented in Japanese records as Teramoto Yoshishige or Mishige).
The Motifs: A stylized Chrysanthemum (Kiku) design. In Japanese cultural arts, the chrysanthemum serves as a symbol of longevity, rejuvenation, royalty, and noble elegance.t was retailed by the luxury department store Ginza Wako in Tokyo, Japan. The plate on the right depicts a gnarled branch of Plum Blossoms (Ume) in delicate pink, and silver.
Core Specifications & Context
Retailer/Origin: Ginza Wako (Tokyo, Japan). Wako is internationally famous for curating premium tableware, jewelry, and high-end gifts for discerning local and global clients.
The Artisan: Yoshishige Teramoto. He was a notable Japanese metalwork artist (chokin master) renowned for producing fine engraved accent pieces, plates, and bowls for premium retailers.
The "Tami" signature is an abbreviation of Teramoto (寺本) combined with a common Westernized export monogram stamp used on his works.
About the Artist and the Work
The Master Craftsman: Born in Kyoto, Yoshishige Teramoto (1916–1992) was a highly celebrated, award-winning member of the prestigious Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition). His works are permanently held in national institutions, such as the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto.
Artistic Medium: Traditional Japanese metal engraving (Chokin 彫金). The technique involves carving intricate lines into the base copper before selectively layering precious gold and silver accents (kin-gin-sai) to generate multi-toned relief depth.
Common Use: A premium square tray or container used for presenting traditional sweets (Wagashi) during high-end Japanese tea gatherings.
Dimensions: These square luxury gift plates typically measure roughly 17.5 cm × 17.5 cm (around 6.9 inches square).
These square plates are champlevé cloisonné or chased/engraved metal art plates made by the acclaimed Japanese master metal craftsman, Mimo Yoshishige Teramoto, Ginza Wako Gold Silver Carved Rectangular Plate, Traditional Art
The Artistic Style: These particular square metal dishes (shikaku-zara) were primarily commissioned and distributed through luxury retailers like Ginza Wako (WAKO Tokyo). They are beautifully executed in copper or brass alloys featuring a textured, textured background with magnificent gold and silver leafing overlay (kin-gin-sai) and fine engraving work.
