A 17th Century Kakiemon Blue and White Porcelain Plate, Kakiemon Kilns c.1670-1690. This design is well known in the West and is represented in many European collections of Japanese porcelain, it was clearly a popular export type in the late 17th century. For a related teapot at the British Museum see 'Information' below. The design shows a pair of Japanese Hō-ō birds perched on a rock with chrysanthemum to the right and peony to the left. The border is with birds among scrolling foliage. A plate of this design and approximate size, but with a Ko mark, from the collection of Dr. Oliver Impey is illustrated in the book Ko-Imari Porcelain from the Collection of Oliver Impey (see References). The catalogue entry states that sherds of similar examples have been excavated at the Kakiemon kiln site.     Hō-ō Bird / Ho-Ho Bird : The Japanese Hō-ō bird is type of auspicious phoenix and is similar to the Chinese Fenghuang. the Hō-ō appears only in peaceful and prosperous times (nesting, it is said, in paulownia trees), and hides itself when there is trouble. As the herald of a new age, the Hō-ō descends from heaven to earth to do good deeds, and then it returns to its celestial abode to await a new era. It is both a symbol of peace (when the bird appears) and a symbol of disharmony (when the bird disappears). The Hō-ō Bird appears frequently in Japanese porcelain of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, especially in Kakiemon wares. Ho-Ho is often used when referring to English porcelain versions of these Kakiemon designs.   See Below For More Photographs and Information.