Increasing my Japanese Ceramics Library

There are plenty of books on Japanese ceramics in Japan. One advantage of my trips to Japan is that I can check out the used book stores for books at reasonable prices.

There are many books on Japanese ceramics, most are out of print. I keep my eye out for them at second hand shops. I also have found some on-line at Amazon.

I found an old book store last week that had some great additions to my library. 

Some Christmas gifts add to my library:

MAKUZU WARE Of YOKOHAMA

Toguri Museum in Tokyo July 1, 2019

 For those interested in Makuzu Ware. There is a great museum in Yokohama that features Makuzu ware and the works of Miyagawa Kozan.  Makuzu ware originated in Kyoto, but in 1869 two Yokohama merchants established a kiln for export wares. Miyagawa Kozan and his sons established a kiln in Minami Otamachi. (See Gorham p.150). I have seen the name written in English as Miyagawa and Miyakawa, but it is 宮川 in Japanese.

NIPPON YOKOHAMA IMURA ZO (日本横浜井村造)

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From what I can gather so far, Nippon Yokohama Imura china is from the late Meiji period, circa 1890 and may have extended through at least the early Taisho (1912-1926).

Varied UK and US sites date Nippon Yokohama Imura Zo anywhere from 1890-1920's. The Japanese sites I have found state this porcelain as mainly Meiji era (1868-1912) but some seems to have been produced in the Taisho period (1912-1926) as well. 

See links:

www.tanabetetsuhito-collection.jp

books-jp.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=396

https://www.old-noritake-antique.com/item/u0580.htm

https://www.old-noritake-antique.com/item/u1540.html

https://www.old-noritake-antique.com/item/u1540.html

http://blog.livedoor.jp/momo2011/archives/3702595.html

http://blog.livedoor.jp/momo2011/archives/5283685.html

MADE IN JAPAN OR JAPAN

From 1921-1941, wares from Japan exported to the United States had to be marked "Japan" or "Made in Japan".  During World War II most ceramics factories (for exports) ceased,  except Noritake (see Japanese Ceramics of the Last 100 Years, by Irene Stitt pg 167). After the war exports were labled "Made in Occupied Japan". After 1952 exports were usually marked "Made  in Japan" or just "Japan". 

Made in Gifu Japan.

Lustre ware vase with the triple leaf mark is an unknown. Many companies have closed and many records were lost. Many of these companies were in the Seto-Mino area. See Made in Japan Ceramics III by Carole Bess White mark #66.

Update: I learned from a Japanese web site on wares made during WWII, for domestic use with this mark. These were designated as being from Gifu Prefecture. 

CHIKARAMACHI

The green and red marks were used 1924-1935

              

       

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This is a relatively common shape for a lemon server but have not found an identical one. IMO, this is probably from between the mid 1920's to the mid 1930's.

I woüld place these in the Taisho period circa 1920's. The saucer size correlates with the sizes of domestic Japanese small plates made during that period.  They were probably made using the same molds as the backs look quite similar. The saucer is 11cm in diameter and the small plate is 13cm. 

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This is a miniature tea cup with just a Japan mark. 

            Unknown maker

Unknown mark see Collector's Guide for Made in Japan Ceramics Book IV by Carole Bess White.

Mark #34

      Unknown maker, not found on any of the MIJ books I have.

This tea pot has a round mark with 16 petal chrysanthemum with a T at the center. Hand painted, Made in Japan.

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IWATA* Made in Japan

Made in Japan transfer ware. Mountain and branch Mark. Attributed to Iwata. See Made In Japan Ceramics III by Carole Bess White mark #68.

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TAKITO "TT" Made in Japan

According to Gotheborg.com this is the Takito Co. mark. The company was on business from 1880-1948. The products sold from 1891-1921 were marked with Nippon. This mark would be between 1922 and 1941. See white's book mark #56

*other references indicate that Takito closed in 1940. 

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See White's book mark #43

See White MIJ Ceramics book IV mark #57 United China & Gift Co. (Formerly United China & Glass). 

Valmont China with the United China & Gift co. Logo in the center.

JAPAN MIYA Mark

Sterling China Japan

Tashiro Shoten

See White's Book IV marks 21,21a, 21b 

GOLD CASTLE Made in Japan

Gold Castle is a Tashiro Shoten Mark

See White's book mark #44

Trico China is a Tashiro Shoten Mark (see White'book mark #11)

     


















This is a new one to me "Kongo China"

   The red sun mark with RS in the center. Made in Japan. Shimizu Ryonosuke Shoten. 

    志水禄之助商店

Some MIJ were made for Shops in the USA

        C. 1920's       Seiji &co. Pre WWII. Closed 1962

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Moriyama Morimachi

                                        Moriyama Morimachi ⬆️

Maruhon ware

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Gift Craft, of Toronto) Mid 20th Century

Unknown mark

Unknown mark

Hand Painted Nippon Made in Japan with 二 in a diamond shape.

Made in Nagoya Japan The kanji for Ishi (stone) in a circle. 

Seto Novelty by Maruyama Toki 丸山陶器

MITSU-BOSHI Japan

Nippon Made in Japan mark circa early 1920's

Hakusan China MIJ

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IE&C Japan

http://www.noritakecollectorsguild.info/researchers/johnhenley/IEC.pdf

NS Made in Japan

*****

OTHER MAKERS

NKT with two birds facing each other with Made in Japan, is the mark of what is currently the NIKKO CO. This company produced from 1912.