Very Old Japanese Teacup Set? Mark? Age?

[Kaaren B.]

I picked this little thing up on the weekend at a thrift shop.

I suspect it is earthenware, and the glaze is heavily crackled or crazed with age, I'm not sure which.

Is is small, not full size teacup. Very pretty with what looks like hand enamelling throughout entire piece.

Unmarked on bottom, but there is a phrase on the side of the teacup, it looks like like the bottom character is tsukuru?

Any thoughts on origin, age, and full translation of mark appreciated (it was $1.00).

Kaaren

[peterp]

>>t here is a phrase on the side

Yes, it says "made by Matsuura".

[Kaaren B.]

Thank you, Peter! I looked up the name, and found Matsuura, which from what I saw is an area within Kyoto, with many kilns. Matsuura was the name of the clan that ruled the area from the 11th-19th century.

I found on Bonham's, the renowned auction house, a very beautiful vase with the Matsuura mark, of enamelled earthenware, c 1900.

As this cup is earthenware, not porcelain, with the Matsuura mark, I am guessing it is also at latest c.1900.

I also found this reference to Satsuma yaki, Meiji period, with the name Matsurra:

Satsuma yaki, Matsutani ga
Matsutani- Meiji period
MATSUURA
松浦

I wondered if the cup, with its crackle glaze, enamel, and earthenware material with enamelling, might be later Satsuma but Matsurra clan area?

I always learn something here. Thank you! Kaaren