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I recently acquired this pair of Kutani vases. I cannot find this exact mark - Wataya Heibei is possible by the kanji do not match up. Can someone translate the kanji and estimate their approximate age?

thank you in advance. I appreciate any information anyone can provide.

The mark reads: Kutani 九谷 Zo 造 - Wataya (Watatani) 綿谷 Sei 製 =
Made in Kutani - Made by Wataya (Watatani).
Indeed a mark by Wataya Heibei (1864-1921).
It's not clear whether the name is Wataya or Watatani, both are possible.
In 1882 he started a shop in Yokohama to export Kutani ceramics to Europe and the USA, the Kutani Kai Shoten.
So date: anywhere between 1882 and 1921.
Regards,
Martin.

Thank you for this information

Hi Guys;

I Googled 'Wataya Porcelain' and it seemed to be the only surname used with Kutani porcelain despite all the other surnames seen on the Japanese Names link at the wwwjdic website. Here's a screen print of a cup & saucer set with the same mark found found in the 'Invaluable' website data base.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thank you for providing this information. I appreciate your time.

In my first post, I called the cup & saucer mark "the same one" as found on the 'Invaluable' website. My second glance today told me the right hand three-character stack actually reads "Painted by Yamajin" (山仁画), a surname literally meaning "Mountain Virtue"). The transliteration and the surname herein are based on wwwjdic.

Sorry 'bout that,

Bill H.

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