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small pottery bottle or what do you call it ?
It is heavy and signed on bottom, can anybody make out the writing or what it says ?

Thank You

This could be a Japanese sake bottle (tokkuri) or perhaps a vase. Not especially old, I think, since the painting doesn't look to be traditional. The script on its base is 90 degrees to the right of reading position. When flipped left it is 仁王, which can be read "Nio" in Japanese. This is what the Japanese call the two muscular guardian deities at the gates of temples. It also is a surname and has a literal meaning of "fragrant". In Chinese 仁王 is read "Ren Wang" (Benevolent King), and can be another term for the Buddha.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thanks Bill, that is odd that it reads both Japanese and Chinese, I never knew something like that.

Thank You

Japanese kanji script is based in standard Chinese characters and retains many of the same root meanings. However, the pronunciation is different in most cases, and Japan has a system of phonetics that are mixed with kanji in modern newspapers. Korean also has a basis in Chinese.

You'll be tested on this at the end of the semester!

Best regards,

Bill H.

Okay Bill, got it..

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