Kobold ... Your english is a lot better then my japanese. My 19 month old child knows about as much or more english then the two words I know in japanese. Do you think she will learn english before I learn japanese ? LOL I hope to go to japan ten years hence ... if I can ask "Where is the restroom ?" .. without offending anyone I will be pleased. Ink .. an old time plumber use to tell my brother and I .. "You guys should work as much as you talk!". Playing the radio while you worked was "taboo" in those days. Good Day ...

All the Chinese translations in the world won't help you with tracing the maker. Someone who knows the language and not old pottery marks will just tell you what it says not who makes it. suppose for example....you had a piece marked Capodimonte.....and you asked an Italian who knew nothing of Italian porcelain and he said...it says "the head of the mountain"....not a lot of help unless you know capodimonte....and then you don't need to ask!! Try emailing your picture to the site below. And....it looks Chinese to me.....why do you say Japanese? do you know something of the origin? Here is a link that might be useful: Oriental pottery marks

The script is in Kanji, and I'm sorry........although I can wade through the syllabaries, I know very little of this script. I can tell you the image inside the circle says Nishi, translated that means west. The script along the bottom is upside down, but reads 5665-0. I cannot read the top, and it's blurred anyway and that may still present a problem to one who can. Japanese pottery is very prolific, and mfrog is likely correct, but may be able to tell you a bit more if you can show me the pot and a cup. Also check to see if it's the same mark on all the pieces. They aren't always and if there is any markings in the syllaberies, I may be able to help you. I have identified artwork that way for another poster.

How about a few from the other side; "we're just looking"-means once we figure out you sound like you know what you're talking about we'll ask you 50 questions and pick your brain and waste your time because we found it cheaper at HD or Lowes. "we'll be ready after the first of the year"-means even though you were under budget, returned every phone call and re-quote promptly, we won't be calling you back even after the 5th call, made in late Feb. "I've got my own installer"-means even though he declined a pre-installation meeting he now will be holding my feet to the fire wanting more trim, etc. and making clear how HE would have done it better,faster,quicker had he been able to do it his way. "Just give us a ballpark figure"-means you just scarred the hell out of us and even though we are told the same figure other places we will be shooting the messenger who was honest & first. And finally "We can't get the financing"-means we can't get the financing because we didn't do our homework before we wasted your time.