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These urns were purchased at an antique store in Shanghai circa 1937. I know they are of Japanese origin but would like more information on their history.

Can't tell you much more but the kanji reads down as 'Ni Ko Sei'. This would appear to be 'Made at Nikko' and not an artist's name, as Nikko is a place about 140 km north of Tokyo.
Good luck,
Bill H.

Hello Kendra,

No doubt Japanese indeed. I think this is the mark of " NIKKO " . Nikko was known because they made Satsuma inspired porcelain probably from Kyoto. If bought in 1937 they were (about) new I think.

Regards,

Arjan

This pair of vases were made by Nikko ( Retailer�s name ) in the late Meiji period, in Yokohama, Japan to foreign visitors or export market. Literally speaking, Satsuma means a country of Satsuma, but since late Edo period to early Meiji period, Satsuma ware was so famous and sought after by foreign buyers, many opportunity seeking manufacturers and exporters, produced so-called Satsuma ware in the main land of Japan. Satsuma export wares made for this market were in most cases, decorated on blank vessels which were brought near the port of Nagoya, Kobe and Yokohama. Nikko brand was one of these export Yokohama Satsuma ware. They look very nicely painted by well trained painter of that period. Good luck,
Emiko

Emiko,

Thank you for the information! You have them dating pre-1912 while Arjan believes they were fairly new in 1937. Any ideas which date is closer?

Also, is there any way to determine the actual artist or was it likely just a staff painter for the Nikko company?

Kendra,
Yokohama-etsuke,( etsuke means painted ware),only color decoration(nishiki-gama) applied at the studios in Yokohama, was popular late Meiji up to around 1900�s, the same period, Nagoya makers prospered in their export business. 1923 Kanto earthquake seriously damaged most studios and the World War II pretty much wiped them out all. If you are seriously interested in more detail information, I would recommend contacting Kanagawa Museum in Japan. So many of these Yokohama-etsuke ware were produced for export, very little is known , although Yokohama-etsuke between 1880�s-1900�s has far more decorative value than later so-called Satsuma-ware, mass produced in Nagoya.
Best Regards,
Emiko

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