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This cup is one of a pair; the other was stolen years ago. I cannot say whether the other was identical. Is the 'story' a poem, or recitation of a folk tale? Can it be dated by the signature seal? Any comments will be helpful, and gratefully acknowledged. I'll add more pics when this post is approved. Thanks!

The circular mark reads Kutani 九谷 Fukue(i) 福榮.
The leftside of 福 is written in an old way.
Kutani is the style / region where it's from and Fukue of Fukuei is the maker. I'm not sure it's the decorator of the inside as well.

There is some information on the net about Fukuei (see below) but the name was written as 福栄.
Regards,
Martin.

Fukuei-do was opened in 1909 in Kanazawa as a Kutani-yaki store by the first generation Yojuro Kuwata (born in Kanazawa in 1869). He worked to improve products and expand sales channels, and gradually gained the credibility of the industry, his products covering Kutani Yaki were sold throughout the prefecture and beyond. He was the first trying to make Kutani Yaki in an electric kiln. Fukuei-do was closed in 1935, when Kuwata was 59, and the business was handed over to the store clerk Kakizawa Tomokichi with Fukuei-do in the store name.
(Source is a Japanese website: History of Kutani Yaki).

Hello, Martin...and Thank You very much! I'm most grateful for your comprehensive response to my query.

The 3 pics below are the best I can manage of the interior text. I'm hoping someone here can give me a sense of the story or poem so skillfully placed within this cup.

Title;
後赤壁賦　Second Ode on Red Cliff
- a poem by the Chinese poet Su Shi a.ka. Su Dongpo 1036-1101

是歲十月之望，步自雪堂，將歸於臨皋。二客從予過黃泥之阪。霜露既降，木葉盡脫.......
On October 15th of that year, I set out from Xuetang to return to Lingao,
Two guests followed me through Huangnizhiban,
At this time the frost has fallen, and also the leaves of trees have all fallen off.....

Unfortunately, I cannot find the English translation of this poem online.

With rregards,
I.Nagy

Thank you very much! You've opened a window, an' I'll try to do justice to your efforts.
I have another, much smaller, item...a carved vessel an' its stand, with many almost incredibly tiny characters written on the underside of the hull. I'll look for it, take a few pics, an' post it here. I'm grateful for your generous assistance, Mr. Nagy!

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