Can anyone help with a Japanese signature this bowl?

Discussion in 'Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain' started by sassafras, Jun 25, 2022.

  1. sassafras

    sassafras Well-Known Member

    I've got several pieces of Black Ship Imari and there's a signature on one of the pieces. Can anyone translate this, pretty please? I'm not even sure if it's facing the right way. 20220614_152154.jpg 20220614_152237.jpg
     
    sassafras, Jun 25, 2022
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  2. 916Bulldogs123

    916Bulldogs123 Well-Known Member

    It looks like an upside down Chinese Long life symbol?
    Mikey
     
    916Bulldogs123, Jun 25, 2022
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    Any Jewelry and judy like this.
  3. sassafras

    sassafras Well-Known Member

    It does look a lot like it!
     
    sassafras, Jun 25, 2022
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  4. Ce BCA

    Ce BCA Well-Known Member

    Yep looks like shou 壽 longevity
     
    Ce BCA, Jun 25, 2022
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  5. sassafras

    sassafras Well-Known Member

    Aha! Just found out the symbol is called a Kotobuki mark and it's sideways. It should turn 90 degrees to the right, so that it looks like a fish. It means happiness, congratulations or long life.
     
    sassafras, Jun 25, 2022
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  6. the blacksmith

    the blacksmith Well-Known Member

    it is upside down, not sideways, and it is a slightly badly written kotobuki.
     
    the blacksmith, Jun 26, 2022
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  7. sassafras

    sassafras Well-Known Member

    Thank you very much!
     
    sassafras, Jun 26, 2022
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  8. 916Bulldogs123

    916Bulldogs123 Well-Known Member

    IMHO The bowl is actually Arita. Meiji period,
    The generic Kotobuki mark was used but I didn't find out why. Arita used a lot of Chinese Mark's in the 18th and 19th Century.
    Mikey
     
    916Bulldogs123, Jun 26, 2022
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  9. sassafras

    sassafras Well-Known Member

    Thank you so much, Mikey!
     
    sassafras, Jun 26, 2022
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