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Hi~
I believe this piece of Mid Century Modern art pottery is Japanese, but I could be wrong. Could anyone help to translate the incised mark on underside or any help with style or possible location of where it was made.
Vase is approx. 9" tall and 3.5" diameter.
thanks again SO much!
Katherine h

The mark appears to read down as "colors of fall" or "fall scenery"(秋色 - shū しゅう - shoku しょく ). While I've provided the Japanese transliteration and tend to side with your ID, I defer to the Japanese experts as to whether it's correct.

Best regards,

Bill H.

I read it,
秘色　-　Hisoku (Secret color)
On the Japanese language　Yahoo auction sites I could find flower vases with a nondescript 秘色窯造　Hisoku-gama -zō　（Made by Hisoku Kiln) bottom mark.
An other site mentioned it as Chinese.

With regards,
I.Nagy

I.Nagy...Thank you greatly for the info!
With your information & knowledge I was able to find a bit more about the Hisoku-Hishoku Kilns and now I will recognize the mark in the future.
I am always so appreciative of the help I get on this message board. It has helped me learn so much.
Thanks again!
katherine h

Thanks again for having my back in these translations.
Bill H.

Thanks Bill H.!
With your help and the help of I.Nagy, I was able to do another internet search, and
it appears that the mark refers to the color ( autumn color or secret colors) and the kilns where it was made. Seems it is mid 20th century and made by a pottery that specialized in Ikebana ware for the past 100 years, but the kilns closed a few years ago ( 2013 ).
Thank you so much for your knowledge that you are always so willing to share!
Katherine h.

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