Featured Japanese Inkwell ? Help please

I wonder if anyone can help with this little porcelain inkwell ? Snuffbox ?
I think it may be Japanese
It looks early
It measures 7x4x4 cm approx
Many thanks

 

It looks similar to this one they say is a Chinese water dropper.

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...celain-buffalo-water-dropper-140-c-20d453b846

 

my thoughts as well.............
nice sleuthing SIS !!!

 

Suiteki...if Japanese...I think.

 

Many thanks , mine looks older I think

 

Didn’t know that word thank you , so maybe Japanese ?

 

Interesting paper label says "Japon", so seems to be from that certain era between Nippon an' Japan usage.

 

Yes water dropper. The water is dropped on a flat bowl round or rectangular and the ink stick is rubbed in it to create the ink. See Sumi-e calligraphy or painting kits. I have dabbled with Sumi-e and my mother gave me an antique cow water dropper in white and gold.

 

It is very cute!

 

Do they use water buffalos much in Japan? I can’t think of any Japanese items I’ve seen with water buffalos, but can think of endless Chinese items. Not a rhetorical question, actually wondering if it’s an inspiration the Japanese used?

 

That's a dang good question...why was it used in this dropper?

 

Copying/imitating the Chinese?

 

Think you’re right , probably a Chinese theme thank you

 

Could be

 

I was wondering if that was a factory sticker or owner/dealer label. The latter could have just been mistaken. Factory would be hard to forgot what country you were in. Unless a busy migrant laborer by chance.

 

This is a dealer label , I think it’s a very old piece