Mystery Inheritance - Fine China Tea Set, Japenese?, Bizen?, early 20th Century?

[Kim]

Can you help me identify this China tea set? My great-granddad sailed all over the world and brought loads of souvenirs back for the family... I'm wondering if these could be worth something, but it is really hard to find out anything about them via google, as they don't have a stamp and the signature on the back is not in English.

There are two sets, but I'll post about the 2nd set separately. I think these might be Japanese? If so, I would guess that it is eggshell china (as it is quite transparent), and I think the patterns are "Bizen" due to the figures and birds?

Please check out the attached pictures.  Any pearls of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I'm flying blind here!  Thank you.