Featured Antique Kutani Porcelain Saki Poem Cup?

I picked this tiny footed cup up and immediately saw it was fine porcelain. I tried to photograph its translucency but failed, but it is almost see-through like glass. The rest is a guess based on my research.

1. I am almost certain that this is a Kutani Mark on the bottom, though blurred.
2. At first, I thought it was an egg cup, but it would have to be a quail's egg to fit into the 1 1/8-inch diameter opening. So, I searched Saki and found ones with similar dimensions at 2 inches tall.
3. Poem cup. The Worthpoint piece had similar script and dots between the lines, so I am guessing my cup has a poem. Antique Kutani Sake Cup Three Different Noh Poems Motif | #127491493 (worthpoint.com)
   
4. It is hand painted and the script is skillfully done, so I am thinking older at least. Older poem cups that I saw had the script on the inside, so I'm not sure how old.
5. Theater. I believe the painting is of a mask.

This is all I got. Is anything I say right? Oh, it was $3, so if I'm wrong no great loss.

 

I'm no help, but super interesting!

 

I thought so. I had too much fun doing the research.

 

And as a major fan of poetry myself, I can agree that it often pairs well with wine!

 

1 It is a kutani mark. Generic mark probably mid century
2 yes it is for sake
3 Poem or quotes
4 I think transfer and hand painted
5 Definitely a mask.
It is very interesting, Beautiful!
Mikey

 

I fancy a glass of wine too, though, this tiny thing may need many refills.

 

Great. I appreciate the confirmations. I didn't know about the midcentury generic mark. I'll have to do more research. So, you think the poem and mask outlines are transfers?

 

That's what I've been told.
I wish there was a way to tell just by looking at it.
Mikey

 

I'll have to get my loupe out tomorrow and look at the edges. Thanks.

 

You're very welcome . Let me know what you find.
Mikey

 

A bit late, but I was thinking where I'd seen the combination of a mask with a rake (behind the mask) before. I just remembered, there are good luck charms like that, and the rake stands for raking in good fortune for the New Year.
Found this, they are called Kumade or Engi-Kumade:

https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/discover/kumade/

https://www.keioplaza.com/keywords/kumade.html

I think your cup was one of the charms that was tied to a rake for the Japanese New Year.

 

Wow. How do you come up with these things. I saw the rake but thought it was a reference to theater seating. I can see now how it is part of this Japanese celebration. Thank you so much.

 

All the result of a misspent youth.

 

I had one of those too.

 

How interesting! Wish my rake brought good fortune rather than a bad back!

The very thin porcelain is called "eggshell" porcelain. I think most of it was produced during the first third of the 20th c.

 

Maybe not use it for gardening but tie little Japanese porcelain masks and trinkets to it? It probably only works if you do it for New Year.

 

So it's a sake rake?

 

Thank you for the information about the timing of eggshell porcelain - that is a great descriptor of this piece too.

 

Maybe make it a happier and more interesting activity.

 

Very nice. I now have a name for it!