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Hello, would anyone be able to identify the reign markings on the bottom of what i believe to be a ginger jar, I've looked online but can't find anything to indicate if this is very old or very modern, I'd be happy if someone could help with the translation, Thanks.

This looks to be a circa late Meiji to Taisho-era Japanese jar, possibly meant for storing tea or something other than ginger. None of the kanji comprises a reign mark. The right-hand stack possibly reads down as "Kai Kutani" (改九谷), a variation I've not seen before on Kutani markings but which may translate to "Reformation Kutani". The left-hand stack appears to read down as "Watano Zo" (綿埜造 - Made by Watano).

Best regards,

Bill H.

Bill,

The character 改 should be read here as 'aratame' (lit. 'examined' or 'approved). So we get 'aratame Kutani - Watano zô' (approved as Kutani ware; made by Watano). Could be an indication that this is early Meiji period where the prefix 'aratame' was imposed by officials.

Guy.

Hi Guy,

I know your post was made awhile ago. Did anyone else confirm the reading of the character "改" (kai)?

I am not totally convinced that the kai character used here is an Aratame, but rather that in the late 19th century, there was a Kutani branch/office called "改良所".

Text:

"弘化4(1847)年1月～明治32(1899)年4月 江戸時代末期・明治期の陶画工。九谷焼改良所主任。各地の窯で陶業を研鑽。八幡村に丸窯式登窯を築造。九谷焼改良所を設立。"

URL Title :Japanese Kutani Office

Hi,

Thanks for the interesting reference. I must admit that my reading of the character 改 in this context as 'aratame' was not confirmed by others. I searched for additional references, but in vain.

IMO, 九谷焼改良所主任 can be read in romaji as 'Kuntani-yaki kairyôsho shunin'. 'Shunin' can easely be translated as 'head of' or person in charge'.
The interpretation of the compound 'Kairyôsho' is more complex. The character 改 (kai/arata(meru) has different meanings. It can mean 'improve' but also 'revise', 'examine', 'inspect'. By analogy with the censor's seal 'aratame'(meaning here 'inspected, approved'), used from the 1850s to 70s on Japanese prints, I should think that 改 as a prefix to 九谷, is an indication of authenticity, after an inspection by an official ==> 改九谷 'aratame' or 'approved' Kutani
So, the translation of 改良所 (kairyôsho) could rather be an 'office of examination' as a sort of quality control avant la lettre or a regulatory agency.

Again, this is just my own reflection. Maybe others in possession of far better documentation could give a more expert opinion.

Guy.


URL Title :\\\'aratame\\\' censor\\\'s seal

Hi Guy,

Thank you for taking the time to look over those text (containing "改良所").

I totally agree with your reading, the character "改" used as prefix or suffix. Depending on their position, the translation will yield different meanings.

My search is also vain, with the exception that in U.S. Google's Book Section, there are several Japanese sources mentioning Kutani's "改良所". All I can get out of so far are the confirmation of the phrase, but not able to determine its context surrounding the phrase.

I'm sure future searches (by others) will lead them to this forum, as this is how I found these posts. Hopefully more people will confirm or expand the meaning of Kutani's "改良所" in the future.


URL Title :Google\'s Book Category using \

BTW, the decorator was Watono Kichiji (born in Kaga, Ishikawa prefecture - dates 1860-1934). He started his workshop in around 1876 in Kobe and in 1880 exported Kutani ware overseas from Yokohama. See also related article.

Guy.

URL Title :Export of Kutani wares

Guy, I'm much obliged for the additional information.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Hi Guy,

Thanks for the awesome information, being a novice collector, it's been hard for me to find info online but thanks to all the help i'm definitely learning.

Do you think this is a common piece or may be a piece of value?

Thanks

Mark

Thank you, no wonder why i was having so much trouble, when i originally purchased it, I thought it was Japanese but the people running the estate sale told me it was Chinese, I like it either way.

Thanks Again.

This is not a reign mark, it is a Japanese Kutani mark. Kutani is an area in Japan with several hundred kilns. You might look for your mark at the link. Regards, Jim

URL Title :Kutani Marks

Thank you very much, I'll check it out right away, at least now i know why i was having so much trouble.

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