Japanese crane vase

ClareBk · 19 Feb 2024

This item is owned by the museum. We know little about it. The height is 303mm. I think the picture is of a crane. There is a signature on the base if someone could assist us with translating that would be wonderful. Satsuma ware? Any information would be appreciated or guiding us to a museum would be great.

Powerhouse Collection - Vase from Japan

Vase, with bird designs, ceramic, maker unidentified, Japan, date unknown

collection.powerhouse.com.au

Majestic · 19 Feb 2024

I don't think there is a maker's name, but on the base it says 出書若山 (Shussho? Wakayama), which might mean "Registered in Wakayama Prefecture". Wakayama is a prefecture in Japan, but it is also the name of a potter. This seems to indicate a location rather than the name of the potter, but I could be wrong. Well, also the fact that the writing is embossed with a seal rather than handwritten, leads me to believe this is more of a mass-produced item rather than a hand-made item.
The seal beneath that just means "Large".
The image is indeed a crane, flying over clouds. The crane is an auspicious symbol of long life in Japan.

Again, this is not my specialty, so your mileage may vary.

ClareBk · 26 Feb 2024

Majestic said:
I don't think there is a maker's name, but on the base it says 出書若山 (Shussho? Wakayama), which might mean "Registered in Wakayama Prefecture". Wakayama is a prefecture in Japan, but it is also the name of a potter. This seems to indicate a location rather than the name of the potter, but I could be wrong. Well, also the fact that the writing is embossed with a seal rather than handwritten, leads me to believe this is more of a mass-produced item rather than a hand-made item.
The seal beneath that just means "Large".
The image is indeed a crane, flying over clouds. The crane is an auspicious symbol of long life in Japan.

Again, this is not my specialty, so your mileage may vary.

Thank you Majestic. I put in the Kanji into Google translate and it came up with Isho Wakayama. Will have a look.

ClareBk · 26 Feb 2024

ClareBk said:
Thank you Majestic. I put in the Kanji into Google translate and it came up with Isho Wakayama. Will have a look.

祥山 - Shōzan
Name of a kiln in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture
Origin/Maker: 出雲若山 - Izumo Jakuzan
Period: 1868-1912 - Meiji era produced pottery for export

(大） - Dai (Big)
So Majestic you were on the right track!

Japanese crane vase

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Powerhouse Collection - Vase from Japan

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