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I think this is Japanese. Can anyone decipher the marks? Thanks.

Indeed, it's a Japanese vase, and according to the right-hand stack of characters (三川内), one made at Mikawachi. This kiln center was well known as the base of porcelain production for the former Hirado fiefdom. Dominance there fell to the Fukagawa family after the dust settled from the Meiji Rebellion of 1868.

The stack written at the left is blurred in the center, although the first character may be 充 (meaning fullness), and the last one seems to be 作 (to make). We'll need some help on that line.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thank you. Would it be from sometime in the 19th century then?

I would think that late 19th or early 20th century is possible, but my experience collecting Japanese porcelains is by no means comprehensive. I looked through the 101 Hirado markings shown an Appendix Six to "Hirado Prince of Porcelains" by Louis Lawrence. To the best of my knowledge, the maker's name on your vase didn't appear there. Lawrence indicated this list included most known signatures, along with selected locations and marks found on other Hirado porcelains (as of the 1997 publication date). The absence of your mark in the appendix seems to me to imply the date of your mark to be later rather than earlier. We can always hope an advanced collector of Hirado wares will come along to edify both of us.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thank you very much for your help.

Can you post a better image of the base? Reads indeed 三川内 (Mikawachi) but the 2nd character in the maker's name is illegible for the moment (兎?作).

Guy.

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