Antique Japanese (?) Teapot

[Kaaren B.]

I did not buy this but was given it by a friend who served in the Air Force in Asia (now decased). I have seen similar teapots but not quite with these types of warriors. The moriage is fairly restrained. There is a mark under the lid, which has obviously been repaired once (not by me), but the mark is faded, I am hoping someone who knows more than I do might recognize something. The mark to the right of the character column is extraneous, a smudge. I thought I did see a "tsukuru zo" or similar "made for/in" character and possibly a "great" one, but at 73 my eyes aren't up to it. There is quite a lot of gilt. The bottom is unglazed, and there is no "crackle". Can anyone identify the mark, or take a guess as to age or region? Many thanks, Kaaren

[peterp]

Looks like Satsuma ware to me, but let's wait for Stan. He has more experience with Japanese ceramics.

[Kaaren B.]

Thanks, Peter. I wondered, but there's no crackle glaze. I believe the heavier gilt are 22K gold accents, I have seen that on similar teapots. Also, it "pings" like porcelain, too light for earthenware I should think, so more Satsuma style than the real thing. I'll look forward to Stan's reply. KB

[Stan]

This looks like a High fired porcelain, where as Satsuma is earthenware, the mark is illegible, I believe this would be from 1940's through 1950's

[Kaaren B.]

Thanks to both, as always!

[Stan]

Here is some food for thought, I believe this was stylized after Nishida, a potter in Kyoto, I can see why Peter thought it could be Satsuma, but the bottom and it being made of porcelain puts it at a later date.
BTW, the pictures are still not very clear, in these photo's it almost looks like it could be Lusterware.

[Kaaren B.]

Oh, sorry, about the photos, I'm not good at it and the 150 limit makes it hard to show detail. I have some lustreware, this is not. The unglazed bottom, marks inside the lid, moriage dusting, are done on matte surface. I have also seen the 22K gold accents on somewhat similar pots. It's also much prettier in person! Just one of those little items one keeps. KB