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Hello, I am trying to find out the country of origin, the approximate age and to identify the characters of the seal on this vase. I can send an enlarged photo of the seal if need be. The photos have been lightened slightly for better identification. Thanks in advance.

This is not an area in which I have a lot of experience, but from a purely aesthetic point of view I would suggest that this is Japanese, late 19th or 20th century.

However, we do need a much bigger and clearer image of the seal if we are to identify what it says.

mikeoz, thank you so much for replying. Here is a link to an image on photobucket. Please let me know if this is large enough or if I have it oriented correctly. I have posted another image here too but the one on photobucket is much better. Thank you so much for your time and effort.

Sorry that I have taken time to answer. At first I was a bit confused. But once I realised that there were eight characters, and that they were written in standard script rather than seal script it became clear.

On the basis of my first suggestion that it is Japanese, the seal would read:

TO (island); TEI (established, settled); DO (copper); KO (fragrance, incense); KAISHA (company, corporation); SEIZO (manufacture).

Perhaps a Japanese speaking Forum member can further elucidate.

Hi mikeoz, thank you so much. I realize that you must be busy with other things too. This is wonderful. I realy appreciate the interpretation. Just knowing it is Japanese and what the words may mean is very helpful. I just now recall there is a museum near me called the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture in Hanford, CA and I will try to make an appointment with them to see if someone there can help me further. They also have a library for research. If I find anything more about the vase I will post here. Once again, thank you so much. I now have a beginning to finding more information about my vase.

URL Title :The Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture

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