Plate with underglaze decoration of white herons

The scene of rocks and the white heron resting in the rain is complemented by a gentle gradation in the background. This was not possible by any technique known to the east until the underglaze technique was introduced from the west to Japan after the Meiji era. Izushi kilns began producing wares with underglaze decoration applied after Tomoda Yasukiyo, who studied this technique, was invited to oversee the Hyogo Prefecture Izushi-gun Municipal Ceramic Experimental Station.