Ceramics with patent numbers assists with dating

In Carole Bess White's series of books on Made in Japan Ceramics she has a page with patent numbers. It is very helpful in establishing approximate years. I will show some examples with approximate years by using the list from the MIJ books. 

This Kutani sake flask with the number 372399 fits into the 1967-1967 time frame

TOUSEI TOUKI (統制陶器)-Ceramics made during WWII (domestic)

During WWII there were no exports from Japan. Most production was focused on the war effort. However, domestic ceramic wares were produced during 1941-1946 (Showa 15-21).  They were made in various areas under government control. They are usually marked with the the first kanji character for the area where they were produced and a number. I believe the numbers indicate the kiln.

For example the area of manufacture is the mark along with a number:

Arita made 有55 

Banko made 万 120

Bizen made 備 3

Gifu (Mino) made 岐 123

Hasami made 波 32

Hizen made 肥 28

Kyoto made 京 252

Nagoya made 名 24

Seto made 品 148

Seto made 瀬 202

Seto made セ 598

Shigaraki made 信 240

Tokoname made 常 107

Here is a great Japanese site which has many examples. The examples I used above were translated from this site so that you can maneuver your way around the site to see the various examples shown there.

http://touseizufu.exblog.jp/page/2/

Here is another link which shows that the snake eye foot was still being made during the World War II  period. I had previously thought the snake eye was only made through Meiji or early Taisho period.

http://touhen03.exblog.jp/iv/detail/?s=3585267&i=200606%2F07%2F85%2Fe0060485_9285078.jpg

Some examples of Tousei Touki marks:

To the left is the Aoki mark with 有55 meaning made by Aoki in Arita during the war

The two on the right are the Gifu mark 岐.

 A personal “te-hibachi” hand warmer, marked with the Hi 肥 for Hizen. This is Shida Yaki of Shiota, Saga Prefecture. 

Hizen 52

        Small plate with Gifu mark 917

This is a mark on a military cup found at fb group Collecting Japanese Ceramics and Arts

This is unusual in that it does not have a number. It is marked right to left Meito 明陶 with the Gifu mark above. This has the Gifu mark.

*I have seen a Gifu 161 with Yamaka Toki Kaisha

Examples of Tousei Toki from various sites

Flimart:

Gifu 396

Gifu 959

Gifu 964

Gifu 94

Seto made 180

Seto made 332

Rakuten:

Seto made 66

This mark indicates Seto Shinano area

Nearing the end of WWII, when metals were getting scarce, the Japanese Imperial Army resorted to using ceramic grenades. Pottery production was slowed during the war, only producing products under government control. They were recruited for the war effort to produce ceramic grenades. 

IZUMO JAKUZAN AKA WAKAYAMA WARE 出雲若山

The top mark reads Izumo. The bottom is the "Dai" in a circle mark. Both marks are usually found on these wares. Sometimes joint mark with Izumo Jakuzan (出雲若山) is found. Originally the reading was Izumo Wakayama, but it has been confirmed by Anri Sasaki,  a Japanese curator at the Tezen Museum in Shimane, that the reading is Jakuzan.  It appears that people confused the Izumo Wakayama pottery with Wakayama,  the prefecture. The kanji characters are different but the sound is the same. Because of this confusion they  changed the name using another reading of the same kanji characters. I believe this change may has happened around the turn of the 20th century. Thanks to my friend Alice Gordenker for verifying this information.

Reference works of the time Morse and Brinkley conflict. Morse used Wakayama and Brinkley used Jyakuzan. Morse published his work in 1880, while Brinkley published in 1901. This is how I surmised that the change must have occurred around the  late 19th or early 20th century. 

http://matsue-ehagaki.com/08/0817.html

https://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/toujikihanausagi/37809728.html?__ysp=6Zm25ZmoIOWHuumbsueEvCAg6Iul5bGx

SHUSSAI-GAMA of Shimane Prefecture

Shussai kiln (出西窯) of Shimane Prefecture, was established in 1947 by a group of young potters who were influenced by the "Mingei" folk pottery movement. The potters received instructional visits from esteemed Mingei potters like  Leach, Hamada, Kawai and Yanagi. It is a communal kiln with potters working together to produce wonderful wares for daily living. 

波刷毛目　Nani Hakeme motif, common at Shussai gama

Arabesque or Karakusa Patterns on Japanese Ceramics

Karakusa- various styles of arabesque motif

Botan Katakusa-peony arabesque

Budo Karakusa-grape arabesque

Hana Karakusa-flower arabesque

Kiku Karakusa-chrysanthemum arabesque

Mijin Karakusa-mini arabesque

Nindou Karakusa-honeysuckle arabesque

Shida Karakusa-fern arabesque

Tako Karakusa-octopus arabesque

Tsuru Karakusa-vine arabesque

Japanese Porcelain Decorated in Hong Kong

People come upon many ceramics labeled "Japanese Porcelain Decorated in Hong Kong". Japan makes "blanks" which they export. Especially during the last quarter of the 20th century many pieces were decorated in Hong Kong. Because many have high lead levels they are required by law to have "For Decorative Use Only" marked on them. The enamels are usually rather thickly applied. There are various levels of quality but basically none have any increasing value as collectors items, except for enjoying them in one's home. 

Dragon Ware

Hand painted Nippon Japan

    This is moriage dragon ware. This is Japanese site for the Tojiki Kaikan in Nagoya. Notice the dragon ware? http://nagoya-toujikikaikan.sblo.jp/category/899359-1.html

This one is a later piece given it has Made in Occupied Japan on it. 

Dragon ware sake cup with lithophane

Some helpful links (I cannot verify if all the information is correct):

From the collection of Shawn Dempsey:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37542328@N06/albums/72157622577023491

http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/unloved-antiques-dragonware-tea-set#comments-section

https://www.justcollecting.com/miscellania/dragonware-tea-sets

Showa Retro

 Showa retro (昭和レトロ) is a phrase used in Japanese to describe ceramics, especially tableware from the mid Showa Era. The general feeling I get is that it ranges from as early as 1940's through about the late1970's.

       Unmarked, believed to be Arita

                                   Unmarked

                           Marked Kutani 九谷

                             Marked Arita 有田

                         Marked Arita 有田

                        Marked Sei 清

Yamaji

      This mark reads  Seihou Gama (正峯窯)

Wakayama or Jyakuzan (若山作)

This mark seems to pop up quite a bit on porcelain vases and plates. No one on the English sites seem to know what the mark is. It is in seal script on the porcelain pieces.  The seal script reads Wakayama, but another reading can be Jyakuzan. I have seen it labeled Arita and Mino ware. Although I have searched and searched in Japanese I cannot find a consensus there either. This should not be confused with Wakayama of "Funjina Wakayama" ware, nor of the Wakayama of "Izumo Wakayama AKA Jyakuzan" ware.