Translation

karltimber

Hi,

could somebody please tell me what the writing on the bottom of this vase means please.

Apologies if it's in a different language.
And not even sure if it's the correct way up

Thanks

K

Links234

Definitely kanji so it could be either Japanese or Chinese (it should be read top to bottom, so if you flip the image 90 degrees clockwise, that's how it's supposed to be read), but I only recognise 2 of the kanji and I'm not sure about the reading so I can't really tell you what it means, just that it could be Japanese. I'm useless, sorry

Giruilla

The writing is a little strange but I think it says - 保土田造 - Made by Hodota.

Googled it and seems to be on other vases too, https://www.google.ie/search?q=hodota+vase&safe=off&rlz=1C1DSGQ_enIE499IE499&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=rx-sU_jMMu2y7AbJv4HYAQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1109&bih=637

Beefy187

Hi. From I'm from Japan.

Not a expert on pottery so I searched on Japanese google.
It says 保土田 (Hotoda) 造（zou) as Giruilla said.

Hotoda being the name of the fellow and zou meaning made by.

This Hotoda was a merchant living in Yokohama from the closing age of Shogunate period to beginning of Meiji era.

Basically what he did was importing Satsuma (Modern day Kagoshima. Kyushu) style vases, and added the paint work in Yokohama to export it overseas.

It could be something of value so please take good care of it

Cheers

karltimber

Thanks folks - appreciate it.

Will do some more research later today.

will reply when I have a further result.

Again - thanks

K