Bakumatsu Blue

While researching ceramics of the Edo Bakumatsu period (roughly 1853-1867) I noticed a blue color combination (medium gray/blue with a darker, but not cobalt blue, often  with (墨弾) Sumihajiki, a resist method used to on ceramics to leave white areas when painted or glazed.  I will call this "Bakumatsu Blue". Not all ceramics made during the Bakumatsu period used this blue combo, but it was widespread.  Similar combinations were used much earlier in the Edo period with slight variations. 

Japanese Military and Memorial Sake Cups

This is certainly a work in progress. I will continue to add as I find examples.

SITES FOR RESEARCHING

https://militarysakecups.com/

https://www.militaryantiquesmuseum.com/js388-1930s-japanese-sake-cup.15048.archive.htm

https://www.facebook.com/militarysakecups/

http://www.stewartsmilitaryantiques.com/sake-cups.53.html

https://militarypackrat.com/t/wwii-japanese-sake-cups

Yamatoku with additional decorator marks

I am researching Yamatoku marked plates that include additional markings. It appears that Yamatoku produced blanks which were then decorated by others. I have found several marked by decorators.

Thanks to Maggie Xiao for permission to use her pictures 

Hizen Arita  decorated

The Yamatoku ヤマトク mark is off to the left side combined with the red Hizen/Arita mark

Tetsuka decorated

The Yamatoku ヤマトク mark is at the top with the red 

Tetsuka テツカ mark (up side down) on the bottom. 

Tetsuka or Tezuka is often found with the Yamatoku impressed mark

Here is an example of a Taisho era blue mark with Yamatoku impressed mark

http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~urakudo/inban_MSW-0021.html

A Matsu mark with a roof meaning house of Matsu. The decorator?

 This mark is sometimes found on Yamatoku pieces.

Lefton China-imported from Japan

Lefton China was a US importer of Japanese china wares, figurines and novelties. Although the company was founded in 1941, it was after WWII that they imported wares. Some will have "Made in Occupied Japan" but most will just have some variation of Lefton China, Handpainted, Japan. The company was sold in 2000.