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Please can you help me identify the makers mark - would really like some background info.

Cannot find the design anywhere.

Many thanks

These are items from the Kutani region.

The red mark reads: Dai 大 Nippon 日本 - Wataken 綿堅 Sei 製 - Motoshige 本重 (?) Ga 画 = Great Japan - Made by Wataken - Painted by Motoshige.

I'm not 100% sure about Motoshige, it's a best guess, another possibility is Honshige, but there are some more names possible, although unlikely. I could not find info about those names.

I was not able to find out the little circular mark.

Wataken is a mark of Watano Genuemon, who was a merchant and had a shop in Terai. He started his Kutani business in 1860 and in 1876 he opened a branch office in Kobe, the Watano Shoten (shop). It is believed that pieces signed "Wataken" were made during this Kobe period. Not much later, the shop was transferred to his son Watano Kichiji. In 1880 Kichiji move the shop to Yokohama.
So in my opinion this dates your tea set 1876-1880.

Regards,
Martin.

Martin thank you so very, very much. Only just started collecting so a bit unsure of myself but I was sure they where not just 1980's imports (sister!). Have side plates also each with different scenes perfect in every way. So glad not to keep looking on the net at teapot lids! Was this design unique to maker?

Penelope,
Unique design of this maker, I don't know.
I'v never seen this kind of handles before.
And the quality of the decorations is excellent.
Although this kind of scenes is often seen on Kutani ware in several levels of quality. And the redbrown with gold edges are typical for Kutani ware.
Martin.

Martin thank you for your reply I'll have to keep looking. Any pointers in which way I should go in my design search I would be very grateful.
Penny

Penelope,
You can start with looking on Ebay with keywords like: Kutani, Satsuma, Hirado, Seto.
And you could make use of the "useful links" on my website Japantiek.nl, especially on the Trocadero website are many beautiful and antique Japanese ceramics displayed.
Good luck,
Martin.

Many thanks Martin - and the search begins!

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