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Subject:Need Help Identifying Japanese Mark
Posted By: KW Mon, Jun 11, 2018 IP: 2601:18b:c100:8c20:8

Hello,
I need assistance identifying Japanese mark found on the bottom of a tea caddy service.
Thank you



Subject:Re: Need Help Identifying Japanese Mark
Posted By: Arjan Broek Mon, Jun 11, 2018

Well.... partly but it would be more informative when you show the whole piece.
This is Japanese Satsuma (like) ware from the Meiji period. The cross is the sign of the Shimazu clan.

The characters read " Dai Nippon, … zan, Satsuma, Hodota (hododa) sei.


Regards,

Arjan

Subject:Re: Need Help Identifying Japanese Mark
Posted By: Bill H Tue, Jun 12, 2018

The top center of the mark has a circled cross from the Satsuma Crest with the name 'Satsuma' (薩摩) in kanji characters below it. To the right, the stack begins at top with 'Imperial Japan' (Dai Nihon - 大日本) and then two characters that possibly form the given name of an artist, 'Taizan', (對山/対山) which comes up in response to queries using either version of the characters shown. Finally, on the left side, it says 'Made by Hotoda (Hotoda Sei - 保土田製), a late Edo-Meiji maker or merchant, in Gotheborg.com's estimation.

Gotheborg also has this same mark in the Satsuma section with only the 'zan' (山) transliterated. So I'll yield to the Japanese experts on 'Taizan', which was the only name returned by the JDIC in response to my kanji queries. I found a Taizan Bridge in Japan with the same characters, but no other corresponding geographic features.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Subject:Re: Need Help Identifying Japanese Mark
Posted By: Arjan Tue, Jun 12, 2018

Hi Bill H and all

Taizan is a known name in "Satsumaland" but it's not written with this character. From what I can see this is Satsuma dragonware wich is also not the style of (the known) Taizan (as far I've seen).


Regards,
Arjan

Subject:Re: Need Help Identifying Japanese Mark
Posted By: Martin Michels Tue, Jun 12, 2018

The mark reads:
- Dai 大 Nippon 日本 (great Japan)
- Taizan 對山 (the name of the painter)
- Satsuma 薩摩
- Hododa 保土田 Sei 製 (made by Hododa).

Takichi Hododa (or Hotoda) was a dealer, manufacturer and exporter of Satsuma ware, fine arts, curiosities, etc. from Yokohama in the Meiji Period (1868-1911). So it's likely that Satsuma pieces with his name were made for him and not by him. There are many marks with his name, with or without the name of a painter / decorator, like Taizan here. I've have another mark by him, see picture.

Regards,
Martin,



Subject:Re: Need Help Identifying Japanese Mark
Posted By: KW Tue, Jun 12, 2018

Thank you Arjan, Bill H and Martin - your expertise is greatly appreciated.

Subject:Re: Need Help Identifying Japanese Mark
Posted By: Arjan Wed, Jun 13, 2018

Just found another mark of (this)Taizan on an item that fits more with the style of the caddy.

Regards
Arjan





Subject:Re: Need Help Identifying Japanese Mark
Posted By: Arjan Wed, Jun 13, 2018

The name of 保土田 is often pronounced as Hododa but also as Hotoda (I see I made another incorrect variation myself :-)) but right is: HODODA.
Herewith a businesscard of Hododa.


Regards,
Arjan




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