The Auspicious Blue-and-White Jar: From Chinese Civilization to Japanese Aesthetics, Preserved in the Land of Siam

This article examines the cultural and historical significance of an “Auspicious Blue-and-White Jar,” reflecting the intersections of Chinese civilization, Japanese aesthetics and preservation in Siam. Originating from the Blue and White Ware tradition of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, the jar represents a continuity of ceramic artistry. In the Edo and Meiji periods, Japan reinterpreted this tradition, incorporating auspicious characters 福 (fortune), 壽 (longevity) and 緣 (destined affinity) instead of the conventional triad 福祿壽. This transformation emphasizes spiritual connection rather than social status. The study concludes that the jar is not merely an antique artifact but a cultural testimony of belief, faith and symbolic reinterpretation across China, Japan and Thailand.