sake or tea cups?

bought these recently at a garage sale. beautiful and elegant. all have the same makers mark. 4 are all underglaze blue. the red one is white with red enamel overglaze. contemporary arita? saw similar set on the web referred to as Guinomi, but was not able to get any further information. your help is very much appreciated! best, a

 

These are 5 of the "year of" animals in the "Asian" calendar. Isn't that tradition Chinese?

 

This is from 波佐見焼 (Hasami-yaki), Nagasaki, Japan. This is produced near Arita, but different area.
the producer is "幸祥窯" (Koh-Sho-Gama), quite decent producer. But the age is unknown. They seem to have two kinds of backmarks but no information about the age.

The design is from Chinese Zodiac as discussed above.

　

 

MSQ, thank you very very much!! may i please ask for a weblink to them, if there is one?! i seem to not being able to find any info in English at least. :-( best, a

 

unfortunately, they do not have website even in Japanese language.

 

good am! thank you - well that explains why i can't find it! ;-(

MSQ, may i please ask you for help with these two items? is this kutani? for sake or tea? or for water and ink? thank you very much!!! a

 

Yes, they are all Kutani sake cups. small ones are called Ochoko. it is made to drink little by little.

I believe that red small cup, the motif is 鳳凰, sort of phoenix. Inside ”福” means happiness.
The blue piece, its bottoms says "永楽"(eiraku), old Kutani potter. It might not be the real eiraku, though. Inside is saying "金玉満堂", it means that to have full of talent and intelligence.

 

thank you very much! will need to try to drink sake! but on a serious note, they are so beautiful and elegant porcelain pieces, a pleasure to hold!! thank you again!!! a