Imperial Seto Yaki Okan porcelain vase, 1940s

This Seto vase is about 4.25" high x 4.25" in diameter, stamped on the bottom. Gotheborg dates this mark to the mid 1940s. This is very different from my earlier Seto ceramic vase post. This vase is porcelain and has a lot of raised designs that have been painted gold. There is quite a bit of wear on this vase, but I appreciate the effort that went into making it. I like small Japanese vases like this which have a lot going on and are time intensive to make and decorate.

http://gotheborg.com/marks/seto.shtml

"While the ceramic history of Seto can be dated back to the end of the ice age, the modern history did not start before the potter Tamikichi Kato who at the risk of his life went to Arita to learn the technique of true porcelain manufacturing with underglaze blue cobalt decoration, as well as kiln technology, glaze and clay preparation, etc. He made it safely back home to Seto in 1807 and is now deified as the founder of Seto Porcelain Industry at the Kamagami Shrine.

The stagnant depression in Arita around the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and a great fire in 1828 caused great problems for the Arita area and Hizen porcelain industry to waver, while porcelain production could begin to flourish in Seto.

Seto is currently the largest producer of ceramic novelties, such as animal and bird figurines, dolls, ash trays, light stands, and flower vases. These items were originally only made for export, but have recently become popular with Japanese customers, as well."