Signature on coffee cups

[PietroParis]

Hi All,

 

My girlfriend's family owns a set of porcelain coffee cups which they believe are from Japan. I understand that they originally belonged to some great-grandmother who was involved with an antiquarian. Cups and saucers all have the same mei:

 

 

Can anybody here translate it?

 

Thanks in advance for any help, Pietro

[Guest]

Might be Oda Sei,

 

Here is a similar part signature for a Kutani manufacturer in the late 19th, early 20th Century.

 

Kaga no Kuni Oda Sei

 

http://www.gotheborg.com/marks/bild/1365_fullsize.jpg

[PietroParis]

WOW, you guys never disappoint!

 

Malcom, I think you are correct. The left part of the signature in the picture you linked appears to match the one on the cups. And - as far as I remember - the decoration of the cups was perhaps a bit less garish, but not dissimilar in style from the one of this plate. Thanks a lot!

 

Cheers, Pietro

[TETSUGENDO]

Pietro,

 

FWIW, I've heard two varying opinions concerning this name- (1) It's that of a retailer who contracted the work from various kilns, (2) They made the wares themselves.    As we find the name on things made of differing materials (metal, etc.)...Option one seems the most likely.

 

-S-

[PietroParis]

Hi Steven,

 

thanks a lot for your input! I also found that the wikpedia page for Kutani ware – not necessarily a reliable source, I know – mentions one Oda Seizan, a master of fine calligraphy. Might the name of the retailer be somehow a reference to this artist? (the artist's signature looks very different, though).

 

Cheers, Pietro

[TETSUGENDO]

Hi Steven,

 

thanks a lot for your input! I also found that the wikpedia page for Kutani ware – not necessarily a reliable source, I know – mentions one Oda Seizan, a master of fine calligraphy. Might the name of the retailer be somehow a reference to this artist? (the artist's signature looks very different, though).

 

Cheers, Pietro

Good thought Pietro but as we've seen many times, and as you have said, Wikipedia has proven to be an unreliable source.    It's too often a catch all for unchecked opinion.   Personally, I don't think this calligrapher is related in any way....but again, this is more unchecked opinion.   

 

Cheers,

    -S-

[PietroParis]

OK, thanks again. To be fair, the Wikipedia article does not suggest any relation between "Oda Sei" and "Oda Seizan", it was just my own speculation.

 

Cheers, Pietro