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I have this large charger and it measures about 15 1/2 inches across. It also has a stamp in the back. I'm thinking it may be the artist signature. I would really like to know what it says or maybe someone can tell me more about the charger in general. Thanks!! :0)

Hi. Your porcelain charger is decorated in a combination of white (clear glazed white porcelain) underglaze cobalt blue painting, and overglaze coral red enamel. It is in the style of the artist Makuzu Kozan or his studio (workshop). Therefore, it belongs in the general catagory of Japanese studio ceramics. Your charger, which was probably made in the late Meiji period (around 1900-1910) is an excellent example of this genre and would have been relatively expensive when made and fairly valuable now. There is a related charger decorated with bamboo shoots in white and cobalt blue on a coral red background in the famous "Arts of Imperial Japan" collection of Professor Nasser D Khalili, Khalili Family Trust, which you may research by Google search.

Here is a whole pic of the foot.

The cahrger is an Arita Fukagawa piece recognized by the design and the mark. Below is an Arita Fukagawa vase in a similar pattern and with the same mark.

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