Five antique dessert plates from Tashiro Shoten, featuring an intricate design of intertwined golden dragons hand-painted in iron red and cobalt blue on a bright white ground. There is a painted backmark on all five plates in gold within a red cartouche that reads Tashiro. I’m told this Kutani-style porcelain originated in Nagoya Japan and that these five dessert plates / side dishes date to the Late Meiji or Early Taisho era. The gilded dragons are a symbol of strength and good fortune in Chinese and Japanese culture, making these plates a unique and auspicious addition to any collection. Perfect for displaying or serving desserts, these plates are a stunning representation of traditional Japanese artisanship. The plates have not been used since I have owned them (over two decades). They are in excellent condition with perfect preservation of the vibrant colour and gilding. Small chips on the edges of several plates, in one case almost imperceptible, are due to their fragility. See the last four photos for close-ups of these defects. USA and International Buyers – Please Note.