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I believe these two cups are contemporary Japanese tea cups. The cup on the right was purchased at a charity rummage sale over 10 years ago; the intriguing "owl" with the "bushy tail?" had caught my eye. The cup on the left was purchased at a thrift store recently. I was surprised to find that the characters in cursive script are similar on both cups. Moreover, the second cup also has a zoomorphic script character with a "bushy tail." It is unlikely that both cups are by the same potter, so possibly both cups are presenting a common theme or story. Any insight as to the background of these cups and what is represented on each cup would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the final side of both cups as well as a picture of the foot. The cup on the right is unmarked. The cup on the left has an impressed mark, but it is obscured by the glaze.

The cup on the right in the last photo is contemporary Hagi.

Thank you Roger for your insight. Are you identifying the cup on the right as Hagi based on the cut footrim?

Can anyone translate the inscriptions on the cups? Thanks.

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