Bronze vase: possibly Japanese late 19th century

I picked this vase up from a collector/dealer I know who's liquidating his collection. I helped him move some things from his storage locker and he repaid me by giving me this vase. I know he favors Japanese art, so paired with his interests and the Hallmark on the bottom of this vase I am assuming it is Japanese. It has a beautiful geometric, stepped shape and has an unbelievable patina. I showed it to my local auction house and they believe it to be Japanese and from the early 1900s or late 1800s. What do you think?