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Hi,
I have found this pair of japanese vases and need your help for the signatures.
thanks in advance!

The mark reads: Watano 綿野 Sei 製 (Made by Watano). Mark of Watano Kichiji (1860-1934).
Date in this case: first quarter of the 1900's.

Watano Kichiji was a potter born in Kaga. He took over the shop Watano Shoten in Kobe from his father Watano Genuemon around 1876-1878 and it became well-known under the name of Watano Kichiji Shoten.
In 1880 Watano Kichiji moved his shop from Kobe to Yokohama Motomachi, because Yokohama was actually the Tokyo port and so he could reach more easily the Tokyo market and expand his export business.
Watano Kichiji Shoten was one of the biggest Kutani export merchants. He was famous for making big pieces. Watano had no painting shop in Yokohama, so he made use of several painters from Kutani, like: Hakuken, Hakusen, Ishiura, Itsuzan, Moriyama, Muraken, Nakagawa and Nishimura.

Martin.

Thanks for your help!

Both bottom marking reads,
綿野製　- Watano-sei - Watano Made
End of Meji, beginning of Taisho Kutani export product.

With regards,
I.Nagy

Hi Dominique,
Two different hands but I think they reads "Wataken / Watano Sei". Dating Meiji period.

Regards,
Arjan

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