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I went to an antique show and sale this past weekend and came away with a Fukagawa Koransha mark & late Meiji period vase. Or at least I was satisfied it was a vase until I got home and started comparing the form with my blue & white 19th century Japanese water jar (mizusashi) shown in the last picture below. I also have a blue & white Satsuma-style crackle glaze baluster form covered jar with scholarly motif and mark of Kinkozan that I also believe was for water. Between the two, they sort of egged on my question of whether anyone, especially Japanese collectors, thinks the Koransha piece might have been intended to hold water without any flowers in it. It's about 11.75 inches tall as shown. The lid has been restored. I'll add a shot of the Kinkozan jar after this is posted.

Thanks to all,

Bill H.

And here are two pix of the Kinkozan-marked water jar. I wonder if the Satsuma-style crackle, which shows on the lid, has any implications for age.

Thanks,

Bill H.

Dear Bill,

I have no idea what this "vase" was used for, but it's an unusual pattern and unusual use of colors for a Fukagawa piece. And it's 1 of a pair, because it's also signed with Migi 右 ichi 一 (right 1).
Great find though.

The Kinkozan piece is marked with a typical "Kinkozan Zo" square seal from somewhere between 1900 and 1925.

Regards,
Martin.

Martin, thanks much for your input. The date on that Kinkozan seal is most welcome. The ground color on the questioned vase looks black but actually is a deep brown, which has led to the name "Chocolate Imari" in some quarters.

Here's another Koransha item that I think has an even more unusual display of colors. It may be a tea infuser/dispenser, or perhaps more often put to use in the West as a coffee urn. It's about two feet tall. I've seen others from the turn of the century, but nothing else like this.


Cheers,

Bill H.

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