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Subject:Re: Help identify Japanese vase
Posted By: Arjan Wed, Jan 25, 2012
Hi Joaquin,
The only reason I dated the piece to the Meiji period is that the ones I saw (with this typical high relief decoration) were all dated (by others) to this period.
I understand your confusion. I can�t really read it myself but I give it a try to explain.
Japanese Kanji characters can have different meanings and pronunciations.
To start with the last character �Tsukuru� this means make/made so that�s clear, I guess.
The first character can be read as �Shin� but also as � Nii�
The second character can be read as �Zan but also as �yama�
So you can make different combinations with that and to get the right one you have to know the context/meaning of the combination.
With most �names� on Japanese Satsuma-like ware the second character can/must be read as � zan� (Ryozan, Kinkozan, Kozan, Shuzan etc.) and that�s why this was my (and probably Guys� ) first choise but both readings are possible.
Maybe others �who can really read and write it � can explain it better.
I think I have to correct one thing your colleague told you.
He speaks about �Mr.� maybe thinking it is the name of a person, potter or artist. With exceptions (of course) these names are just tradingnames, used by killns, factories or shops and not the names of persons.
Regards,
Arjan
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