This page is dedicated as a tribute to Ian and Mary Heriot of New Zealand. This list of Satsuma artists and names found on Satsuma pottery, presented here, was shared with me as a work in progress during a conversation about the challenges of tracing and understanding Japanese Satsuma marks.
The reverse-transcriptions of the original list of romanized names back into kanji, along with their tentative translations, are entirely my own. I take full responsibility for any errors, of which there are likely many at this stage, but I hope to correct them over time with your help as they are discovered.
It is still my hope and ambition that the publication of this list will serve as a resource for future collectors of Satsuma pottery, which I believe was Ian's original intention when he, together with Mary Heriot, began compiling it. We encourage others to contribute and share their insights, helping to expand and refine this resource over time, ideally by joining our Discussion Board and submitting your thoughts and examples there for all to enjoy.
The characters we find on the bases of Satsuma pottery, serve a variety of purposes. They can be personal signatures of the artist who created or decorated the piece. They can be official seals or marks indicating the workshop, studio, or manufacturer responsible for producing the piece. They can be the names of artists, even the individual artist who made or decorated the pottery. Many Satsuma pieces include the names of the studio or workshop where they were crafted, rather than the individual artist. Sometimes the characters indicate the geographical location, such as the region or town (e.g., Satsuma) where the piece was made.
These marks provide an insight into the history and origins of each piece, helping to identify when, where, and by whom the pottery was made which is especially valuable for collectors and historians who want to trace the lineage of specific artists or workshops. To know whether a piece was made by a famous artist, a recognized master, or studio can greatly affect its value and historical significance. To understand any marks help determine whether a piece is an original or a later reproduction, which is crucial for collectors who want to understand the rarity or their pieces. The mere process of decoding the kanji characters in itself also presents an intellectual challenge for researchers, collectors, and those interested in Japanese language and culture. Each character can hold layers of meaning, adding depth to the understanding of the piece. In short, the characters on Satsuma pottery add historical, artistic, cultural, and even linguistic dimensions to each piece, making them fascinating to both collectors and scholars.
What I have attempted here, based on a document I received from Ian in 2019, is to reverse-transliterate the original kanji characters from a list of about two hundred romanized names of Japanese Satsuma artists and workshops and to find out their meanings. I felt this was worth the attempt, as Ian and Mary's list was too much of a treasure trove to abandon.
I'm fully aware that the potential for errors is high, making this likely an unfruitful endeavor. However, it has been an enjoyable process, and I believe it still holds value in its own way.
The first obstacle was to take into account that kanji often have multiple possible readings (on'yomi or kun'yomi). The reverse transliteration of their romanized form that I have attempted here is more complex than the initial transliteration when going from kanji to roman. This is because the correct kanji depends on context, such as whether the word is a name, a place, or a specific term in Japanese, and that the romanized word just don't have all the values the names have in Kanji.
Kanji - Characters Borrowed from Chinese
Kanji is one of the three writing systems in Japanese, consisting of characters borrowed from Chinese. Each kanji character has one specific meaning but can have multiple pronunciations. While kanji is used to write nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs, Japanese cannot be fully written using kanji alone. We'll get to that later.
"Mountain" as Zan or Yama
When for example writing the word 山 (mountain) in kanji, its pronunciation, and thus transliteration, can follow one of two systems.
If "mountain" is part of a formal name, such as a pottery studio, it would typically be pronounced zan, which is the Chinese-derived (on'yomi) reading.
However, if it refers to a geographical location, such as a village or an actual mountain, it is usually rendered in the native Japanese (kun'yomi) reading, as yama.
Bizan (or Miyama) under the circle and cross Satsuma mon © JE Nilsson 2024
美山 (Beautiful Mountain) = Bizan or Miyama
Now, looking at an actual mark, in a formal context, such as in a name, the Chinese-derived on'yomi reading Bizan would be preferred, where 美 (Bi) represents the on'yomi reading of "beautiful" and 山 (Zan) is the on'yomi reading for "mountain".
This reading is typically found in proper names, artistic signatures, and place names, especially in formal or historical contexts.
In the native Japanese reading of the kanji, typically used for place names in modern-day, Japan or when referring to natural features, the kun'yomi reading of 美山, Miyama is more commonly used. Here, 美 (Mi) follows the native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) of "beautiful," and 山 (Yama) is the native reading for "mountain."
In summary:
Bizan for artistic or formal use.
Miyama for modern place names or casual use.
On this page, which focuses only on artists' or studio names, my intention has been that all my transliterations as a rule should be rendered using the Chinese-derived on'yomi readings.
Jan-Erik Nilsson
September 2024
| Baikei (梅溪 or 梅渓) |
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梅 (Bai) = Plum
溪 or 渓 (Kei) = Valley or stream
Literal translation: "Plum Valley"
See also: Nakamura Baikei (中村梅渓): Same kanji, with 中村 (Nakamura) being a common surname.
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| Baiko (梅幸) |
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梅 (Bai) = Plum
幸 (Ko) = Happiness or fortune
Literal translation: "Plum Happiness"
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| Bankozan (万古山) |
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万 (Ban) = Ten thousand
古 (Ko) = Ancient
山 (Zan) = Mountain
Literal translation: "Mountain of Eternity"
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| Banzan (蕃山 or 晩山) |
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蕃 (Ban) = Flourishing, or 晩 (Ban) = Late
山 (Zan) = Mountain
Literal translation: "Flourishing Mountain" or "Late Mountain"
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| Beizan (米山) |
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米 (Bei) = Rice
山 (Zan) = Mountain
Literal translation: "Rice Mountain"
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| Bizan (美山) |
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美 (Bi) = Beautiful
山 (Zan) = Mountain
Literal translation: "Beautiful Mountain".
美 (Bi) is a common kanji and means "beautiful". Thus, 美山 (Bizan) translate to "Beautiful Mountain". If 美山 is used as an artistic signature, Bizan (Chinese on'yomi) is appropriate. If 美山 refers to a place name or natural feature, such as a mountain, Miyama (Japanese casual kun'yomi) is more correct.
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| Chikusai (竹斎) |
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竹 (Chiku) = Bamboo
斎 (Sai) = Purification, or a place for religious purification (a hermitage or retreat)
Literal translation: "Bamboo Hermitage"
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| Chin Jukan 陳寿官 |
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陳 (Chin) = Surname "Chin"
寿官 (Jukan) = "Longevity Officer"
Literal translation: "Chin, Longevity Officer"
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| Chin Jukan (Jukan zo, Jukan sei, Gyokuzan zo) 陳寿官 (寿官造, 寿官製, 玉山造) |
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陳 (Chin) = Surname "Chin"
寿官 (Jukan) = "Longevity Officer"
造 (Zo) = "Made by" or "Crafted by"
製 (Sei) = "Manufactured by"
玉山 (Gyokuzan) = "Jade Mountain"
Literal translation: "Chin Jukan (Made by Jukan, Manufactured by Jukan, Made by Gyokuzan)"
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| Chin Jukan XII (1835-1906) 陳寿官十二 |
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Was the founding father of the Satsuma industry in Kagoshima, Satsuma province. He exhibited at many international exhibitions during the years 1873-1906. The factory produced blanks for Satsuma decorators across Japan, notably Yabu Meizan and Gyokushu. Chin also used the name Gyokuzan between 1874-1897.
陳 (Chin) = Surname "Chin"
寿官 (Jukan) = "Longevity Officer"
十二 (XII) = "Twelfth"
Literal translation: "Chin Jukan the Twelfth"
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| Chin Jukan XIV (1926-) (Satsuma Jukan sei) 陳寿官十四 (薩摩寿官製) |
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陳 (Chin) = Surname "Chin"
寿官 (Jukan) = "Longevity Officer"
十四 (XIV) = "Fourteenth"
薩摩 (Satsuma) = "Satsuma Province"
寿官製 (Jukan sei) = "Made by Jukan"
Literal translation: "Chin Jukan the Fourteenth (Made by Satsuma Jukan)"
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| Chin Jukan XV (1959-) 陳寿官十五 |
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陳 (Chin) = Surname "Chin"
寿官 (Jukan) = "Longevity Officer"
十五 (XV) = "Fifteenth"
Literal translation: "Chin Jukan the Fifteenth"
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| Chineike 陳家 |
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陳 (Chin) = Surname "Chin"
家 (Ie or Ke) = "House" or "Family"
Literal translation: "House of Chin" or "Chin Family"
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| Chinzan 陳山 |
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陳 (Chin) = Surname "Chin"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Chin Mountain"
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| Chokuzan 直山 |
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直 (Choku) = "Straight" or "Direct"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Straight Mountain" or "Direct Mountain"
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| Choshuzan 長州山 |
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Large factory producing low to middle quality wares. Often complex marks including Dai Nippon and the name of the individual potter.
長 (Cho) = "Long" or "Chief"
州 (Shu) = "Province"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Mountain of the Long Province" or "Chief Province Mountain"
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| Dozan 土山 |
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土 (Do) = "Earth" or "Soil"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Mountain of Earth" or "Soil Mountain"
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| Eizan 栄山 |
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栄 (Ei) = "Prosperity" or "Glory"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Prosperous Mountain" or "Mountain of Glory"
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| Eizan Kawamoto 栄山川本 |
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Eizan Kawamoto specialized in large pieces carved in high relief.
栄 (Ei) = "Prosperity" or "Glory"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
川本 (Kawamoto) = "River Source" (surname)
Literal translation: "Prosperous Mountain, Kawamoto" or "Mountain of Glory, Kawamoto"
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| Fujisan 富士山 |
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Fujisan 富士山
富士 (Fuji) = "Mount Fuji"
山 (San) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Mount Fuji"
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| Fukyu 福久 |
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福 (Fuku) = "Blessing" or "Good Fortune"
久 (Kyu) = "Long-lasting"
Literal translation: "Long-lasting Blessing" or "Enduring Good Fortune"
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| Furukawa 古川 |
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古 (Furu) = "Old"
川 (Kawa) = "River"
Literal translation: "Old River"
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| Fuzan 富山 |
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富 (Fu) = "Wealth" or "Abundance"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Wealthy Mountain"
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| Gassan 月山 |
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月 (Gatsu) = "Moon"
山 (San) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Moon Mountain"
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| Fuzan Ryun 富山隆雲 |
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富山 (Fuzan) = "Wealthy Mountain"
隆雲 (Ryun) = "Rising Cloud"
Literal translation: "Wealthy Mountain, Rising Cloud"
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| Genzan 源山 |
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源 (Gen) = "Source" or "Origin"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Source Mountain" or "Mountain of Origin"
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| Getsugeppo 月月峰 |
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月 (Getsu) = "Moon"
月 (Getsu) = "Moon"
峰 (Po) = "Peak"
Literal translation: "Moon Moon Peak"
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| Gikohin 儀光品 |
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儀 (Gi) = "Ceremony" or "Ritual"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
品 (Hin) = "Goods" or "Product"
Literal translation: "Ceremonial Light Product"
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| Gyokusenzan 玉泉山 |
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玉 (Gyoku) = "Jade"
泉 (Sen) = "Spring" or "Fountain"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Jade Spring Mountain"
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| Gyokushu 玉秀 |
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玉 (Gyoku) = "Jade"
秀 (Shu) = "Excellence" or "Outstanding"
Literal translation: "Jade Excellence"
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| Gyozan 行山 |
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行 (Gyo) = "Travel" or "Journey"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Journey Mountain"
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| Hayakawa 早川 |
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早 (Haya) = "Fast" or "Quick"
川 (Kawa) = "River"
Literal translation: "Fast River"
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| Hakuzan 白山 |
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白 (Haku) = "White"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "White Mountain"
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| Hamada 浜田 |
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浜 (Hama) = "Beach" or "Seashore"
田 (Da) = "Field"
Literal translation: "Seashore Field"
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| Hankinzan 半斤山 |
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半 (Han) = "Half"
斤 (Kin) = "A measure of weight (typically half a kilogram)"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Half-weight Mountain"
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| Harukawa 春川 |
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春 (Haru) = "Spring" (the season)
川 (Kawa) = "River"
Literal translation: "Spring River"
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| Hasegawa 長谷川 |
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長 (Hase) = "Long"
谷 (Gawa) = "Valley"
Literal translation: "Long Valley"
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| Hattori 服部 |
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服 (Hatto) = "Clothing"
部 (Ri) = "Section" or "Department"
Literal translation: "Clothing Department"
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| Hekizan 壁山 |
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壁 (Heki) = "Wall"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Wall Mountain"
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| Hidemassa 秀正 |
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秀 (Hide) = "Excellence" or "Outstanding"
正 (Masa) = "Righteous" or "Correct"
Literal translation: "Outstanding and Righteous"
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| Hododa Biten 保土田美典 |
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保土田 (Hododa) = Surname "Hododa"
美 (Bi) = "Beauty"
典 (Ten) = "Code" or "Law"
Literal translation: "Hododa Beauty Code"
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| Hododa Meizan 保土田明山 |
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Hododa Company. A big organization located in Yokohama, making large quantities of lower-grade Satsuma wares. They also produced good quality Kinran-type wares.
Hododa Meizan 保土田明山
保土田 (Hododa) = Surname "Hododa"
明 (Mei) = "Bright" or "Clear"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Hododa Bright Mountain"
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| Hogetsu 芳月 |
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芳 (Ho) = "Fragrance" or "Virtue"
月 (Getsu) = "Moon"
Literal translation: "Fragrant Moon" or "Virtuous Moon"
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| Hogetsuzan 芳月山 |
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芳 (Ho) = "Fragrance" or "Virtue"
月 (Getsu) = "Moon"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Fragrant Moon Mountain" or "Virtuous Moon Mountain"
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| Horaiken 宝来軒 |
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宝 (Hora) = "Treasure"
来 (I) = "To come"
軒 (Ken) = "Building" or "Pavilion"
Literal translation: "Treasure Pavilion"
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| Horindo 堀堂 (see Hogetsu) |
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堀 (Hori) = "Moat" or "Ditch"
堂 (Do) = "Hall"
Literal translation: "Moat Hall" (See Hogetsu for related details)
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| Hozan Matsumoto 宝山松本 |
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宝 (Ho) = "Treasure"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
松本 (Matsumoto) = Surname "Matsumoto"
Literal translation: "Treasure Mountain, Matsumoto"
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| Hozan seizo 宝山製造 |
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宝 (Ho) = "Treasure"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
製造 (Seizo) = "Manufacture" or "Production"
Literal translation: "Treasure Mountain Manufacturing"
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| Yasuda 安田 |
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安 (Yasu) = "Peace" or "Safety"
田 (Da) = "Field"
Literal translation: "Peaceful Field"
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| Hyakushuko 百寿光 |
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百 (Hyaku) = "Hundred"
寿 (Shu) = "Longevity"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
Literal translation: "Hundred Longevity Lights"
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| Hyokoseki 兵庫石 |
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兵庫 (Hyoko) = "Hyogo" (a place)
石 (Seki) = "Stone"
Literal translation: "Hyogo Stone"
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| Ichiten 一天 |
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一 (Ichi) = "One"
天 (Ten) = "Heaven" or "Sky"
Literal translation: "One Heaven" or "One Sky"
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| Ichizan 一山 |
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一 (Ichi) = "One"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "One Mountain"
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| Ippo 一歩 |
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一 (Ichi) = "One"
歩 (Po) = "Step"
Literal translation: "One Step"
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| Iwaida 岩井田 |
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岩 (Iwa) = "Rock"
井 (I) = "Well"
田 (Da) = "Field"
Literal translation: "Rock Well Field"
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| Izumiyama 泉山 |
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泉 (Izumi) = "Spring" or "Fountain"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Spring Mountain"
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| Jukan 寿官 (see Chin) |
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寿 (Ju) = "Longevity"
官 (Kan) = "Official"
Literal translation: "Longevity Official" (See Chin for more details)
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| Juko 寿光 |
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寿 (Ju) = "Longevity"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
Literal translation: "Longevity Light"
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| Jukomine 寿峯 |
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寿 (Ju) = "Longevity"
峯 (Mine) = "Peak"
Literal translation: "Longevity Peak"
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| Jusetsu 寿雪 |
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寿 (Ju) = "Longevity"
雪 (Setsu) = "Snow"
Literal translation: "Longevity Snow"
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| Jusho 寿章 |
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寿 (Ju) = "Longevity"
章 (Sho) = "Badge" or "Chapter"
Literal translation: "Longevity Badge"
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| Juzan 寿山 |
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寿 (Ju) = "Longevity"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Longevity Mountain"
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| Kaburagi 鏑木 |
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鏑 (Kabura) = "Arrowhead"
木 (Gi) = "Tree"
Literal translation: "Arrowhead Tree"
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| Kaizan 海山 |
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海 (Kai) = "Sea"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Sea Mountain"
Likely to be a commissioning agent and not a manufacturer.
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| Kanzan 寛山 (see also Kyoto Tojiki Goshigaisha) |
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寛 (Kan) = "Generous" or "Tolerant"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Generous Mountain"
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| Katsuyama 勝山 |
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勝 (Katsu) = "Victory"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Victory Mountain"
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| Keichozan 慶長山 |
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慶 (Kei) = "Congratulations" or "Joy"
長 (Cho) = "Long" or "Chief"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Mountain of Joy and Longevity"
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| Keida 慶田 |
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慶 (Kei) = "Congratulations" or "Joy"
田 (Da) = "Field"
Literal translation: "Field of Joy"
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| Keigaku 慶岳 |
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慶 (Kei) = "Congratulations" or "Joy"
岳 (Gaku) = "Mountain Peak"
Literal translation: "Joyful Mountain Peak"
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| Keizan 慶山 |
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Keizan 慶山
慶 (Kei) = "Congratulations" or "Joy"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Mountain of Joy"
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| Kenrai 健来 |
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健 (Ken) = "Healthy" or "Strong"
来 (Rai) = "To Come"
Literal translation: "Healthy Arrival" or "The Coming of Health"
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| Kikkoen 吉光園 |
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吉 (Kitsu) = "Good Fortune"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
園 (En) = "Garden"
Literal translation: "Garden of Good Fortune and Light"
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| Kinkozan Sobei 錦光山宗兵衛 (Factory, see p. 54) |
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錦 (Kin) = "Brocade"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
宗兵衛 (Sobei) = Surname "Sobei"
Literal translation: "Brocade Light Mountain, Sobei"
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| Kinkozan ga 錦光山画 |
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錦 (Kin) = "Brocade"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
画 (Ga) = "Painting"
Literal translation: "Painting of the Brocade Light Mountain"
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| Kinkozan zo 錦光山造 |
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錦 (Kin) = "Brocade"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
造 (Zo) = "Made by"
Literal translation: "Made by Brocade Light Mountain"
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| Kinkozan seizo 錦光山製造 |
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錦 (Kin) = "Brocade"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
製造 (Seizo) = "Manufactured"
Literal translation: "Manufactured by Brocade Light Mountain"
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| Kinryuzan 金龍山 |
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金 (Kin) = "Gold"
龍 (Ryu) = "Dragon"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Gold Dragon Mountain"
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| Kinsei Kiowa 金成紀和 |
| |
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金 (Kin) = "Gold"
成 (Sei) = "Become" or "Achieve"
紀 (Ki) = "Era" or "Chronicle"
和 (Wa) = "Harmony" or "Japan"
Literal translation: "Gold Achievement, Chronicle of Harmony"
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| Kinseizan 金星山 |
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金 (Kin) = "Gold"
星 (Sei) = "Star"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Gold Star Mountain"
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| Kintozan 金峯山 |
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金 (Kin) = "Gold"
峯 (To) = "Peak"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Gold Peak Mountain"
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| Kinzan 金山 |
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金 (Kin) = "Gold"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Gold Mountain"
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| Kitamura 北村 |
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北 (Kita) = "North"
村 (Mura) = "Village"
Literal translation: "Northern Village"
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| Kizan 鬼山 |
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鬼 (Ki) = "Oni" or "Demon"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Demon Mountain"
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| Kobaien 古培園 |
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古 (Ko) = "Old"
培 (Bai) = "Cultivate"
園 (En) = "Garden"
Literal translation: "Old Cultivation Garden"
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| Koseki 古石 |
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古 (Ko) = "Old"
石 (Seki) = "Stone"
Literal translation: "Old Stone"
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| Koshida 古志田 |
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古 (Ko) = "Old"
志 (Shi) = "Ambition"
田 (Da) = "Field"
Literal translation: "Old Ambition Field"
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| Koshida Zuizan 古志田瑞山 |
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古 (Ko) = "Old"
志 (Shi) = "Ambition"
田 (Da) = "Field"
瑞 (Zui) = "Auspicious"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Old Ambition Field, Auspicious Mountain"
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| Koshida Gyofusui 古志田漁夫水 |
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古 (Ko) = "Old"
志 (Shi) = "Ambition"
田 (Da) = "Field"
漁夫 (Gyofu) = "Fisherman"
水 (Sui) = "Water"
Literal translation: "Old Ambition Field, Fisherman's Water"
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| Koshida Shozan 古志田松山 |
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古 (Ko) = "Old"
志 (Shi) = "Ambition"
田 (Da) = "Field"
松 (Sho) = "Pine"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Old Ambition Field, Pine Mountain"
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| Koshuzan 古秋山 |
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古 (Ko) = "Old"
秋 (Shu) = "Autumn"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Old Autumn Mountain"
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| Kotoen 古陶園 |
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古 (Ko) = "Old"
陶 (To) = "Ceramics"
園 (En) = "Garden"
Literal translation: "Old Ceramics Garden"
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| Kozan 光山 |
| |
光 (Ko) = "Light"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Light Mountain"
|
| Kozan Makuzu (Miyagawa) 光山真葛 |
| |
光 (Ko) = "Light"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
真葛 (Makuzu) = "Makuzu" (name of a type of vine)
Literal translation: "Light Mountain, Makuzu"
Kozan Makuzu (1842-1916), from a family of tea ware makers in Kyoto, started making Satsuma-style pieces before moving his business to Yokohama in the 1870s. His work later shifted to underglaze porcelain. His son Hanzan (1859-1940) joined the business in 1882. See also Seikozan.
|
| Kununzan 久雲山 |
| |
久 (Kun) = "Long-lasting"
雲 (Un) = "Cloud"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Long-lasting Cloud Mountain"
|
| Kyoto Tojiki Goshigaisha 京都陶磁器合資会社 |
| |
京都 (Kyoto) = "Kyoto"
陶磁器 (Tojiki) = "Ceramics"
合資会社 (Goshigaisha) = "Partnership Company"
Literal translation: "Kyoto Ceramics Partnership Company"
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| Kyokichi 京吉 |
| |
京 (Kyo) = "Capital" or "Kyoto"
吉 (Kichi) = "Good Fortune"
Literal translation: "Kyoto Good Fortune"
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| Kyozan 京山 |
| |
京 (Kyo) = "Capital" or "Kyoto"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Kyoto Mountain"
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| Kyozan, Zekou 京山絶光 |
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京山 (Kyozan) = "Kyoto Mountain"
絶光 (Zekou) = "Eternal Light"
Literal translation: "Kyoto Mountain, Eternal Light"
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| Kyuzan 九山 |
| |
九 (Kyu) = "Nine"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Nine Mountains"
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| Makuzu Kozan 真葛光山 (see Kozan) |
| |
真葛 (Makuzu) = "Makuzu" (name of a type of vine)
光山 (Kozan) = "Light Mountain"
Literal translation: "Makuzu Light Mountain" (See Kozan for more details)
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| Masanobu 正信 (see Hododa) |
| |
正 (Masa) = "Correct" or "Righteous"
信 (Nobu) = "Faith"
Literal translation: "Righteous Faith" (See Hododa for more details)
|
| Masayoshi 正義 |
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正 (Masa) = "Correct" or "Righteous"
義 (Yoshi) = "Justice" or "Honor"
Literal translation: "Righteous Justice"
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| Matsumura 松村 |
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松 (Matsu) = "Pine"
村 (Mura) = "Village"
Literal translation: "Pine Village"
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| Matsumoto Hozan 松本宝山 (see Hozan) |
| |
松本 (Matsumoto) = "Surname Matsumoto"
宝山 (Hozan) = "Treasure Mountain"
Literal translation: "Matsumoto Treasure Mountain" (See Hozan for more details)
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| Meigado 明雅堂 |
| |
明 (Mei) = "Bright"
雅 (Ga) = "Elegant"
堂 (Do) = "Hall"
Literal translation: "Bright and Elegant Hall"
|
| Meigyokuzan 明玉山 |
| |
明 (Mei) = "Bright"
玉 (Gyoku) = "Jade"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Bright Jade Mountain"
|
| Meiseizan 明清山 (Seikozan) |
| |
明 (Mei) = "Bright"
清 (Sei) = "Clear"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Bright Clear Mountain"
|
| Meizan 明山 |
| |
明 (Mei) = "Bright"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Bright Mountain"
Workshop located in Kanazawa, Kaga prefecture, producing good to exceptional work. Worked for Seikozan and may be the actual source for many of their pieces. Differences in calligraphy suggest several artists worked under the Meizan name (Ming Mountain).
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| Meizan Yabu 藪明山 |
| |
藪 (Yabu) = "Thicket" or "Bush"
明 (Mei) = "Bright"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Thicket Bright Mountain"
Yabu Meizan (1853-1934) trained in Awaji and Tokyo before setting up shop in Osaka in 1880. Retired in 1926. Pieces range from middle to high quality, occasionally exceptional. Exhibited internationally from 1889 (Paris) to 1915 (San Francisco).
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| Meizan, Yabu Tsuneo 藪常雄 (Yabu Meizan's adopted son) |
| |
藪 (Yabu) = "Thicket" or "Bush"
常 (Tsune) = "Constant" or "Eternal"
雄 (O) = "Hero" or "Manly"
Literal translation: "Yabu Constant Hero"
|
| Minatoko 港子 |
| |
港 (Minato) = "Harbor" or "Port"
子 (Ko) = "Child"
Literal translation: "Child of the Harbor"
|
| Mitani 三谷 |
| |
三 (Mi) = "Three"
谷 (Tani) = "Valley"
Literal translation: "Three Valleys"
|
| Morobayashi 諸林 (see Meizan) |
| |
諸 (Moro) = "Various"
林 (Bayashi) = "Forest"
Literal translation: "Various Forest" (See Meizan for more details)
|
| Motodani 元谷 |
| |
元 (Moto) = "Origin" or "Source"
谷 (Dani) = "Valley"
Literal translation: "Origin Valley"
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| Motonobu 本信 |
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本 (Moto) = "Origin" or "True"
信 (Nobu) = "Faith" or "Trust"
Literal translation: "True Faith" or "Faithful Origin"
|
| Kishuen Motonobu 希寿園本信 |
| |
希 (Ki) = "Rare" or "Hope"
寿 (Ju) = "Longevity"
園 (En) = "Garden"
本 (Moto) = "Origin" or "True"
信 (Nobu) = "Faith" or "Trust"
Literal translation: "Garden of Hope and Longevity, True Faith"
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| Nakamura Baikei 中村梅渓 |
| |
中村 (Nakamura) = "Surname Nakamura"
梅 (Bai) = "Plum"
渓 (Kei) = "Valley"
Literal translation: "Plum Valley, Nakamura"
Exceptional artist, very rare.
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| Nambe 南部 |
| |
南 (Nan) = "South"
部 (Be) = "Section" or "Part"
Literal translation: "Southern Section"
|
| Naruse 成瀬 |
| |
成 (Naru) = "Achieve" or "Become"
瀬 (Se) = "Rapids" or "Shallows"
Literal translation: "Achieve Rapids" or "Shallow Rapids"
|
| Tokahuen Naruse 東華園成瀬 |
| |
東 (To) = "East"
華 (Ka) = "Flower" or "Splendor"
園 (En) = "Garden"
成瀬 (Naruse) = "Achieve Rapids"
Literal translation: "Eastern Flower Garden, Naruse"
|
| Niimura 新村 |
| |
新 (Nii) = "New"
村 (Mura) = "Village"
Literal translation: "New Village"
|
| Nikko 日光 |
| |
日 (Ni) = "Sun" or "Day"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
Literal translation: "Sunlight" or "Daylight"
(Nikko-ya, dealer located in Nagasaki)
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| Ninzan 仁山 |
| |
仁 (Nin) = "Benevolence" or "Compassion"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Mountain of Benevolence"
|
| Okahashi 岡橋 |
| |
岡 (Oka) = "Hill"
橋 (Hashi) = "Bridge"
Literal translation: "Hill Bridge"
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| Rei 霊 |
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霊 (Rei) = "Spirit" or "Soul"
Literal translation: "Spirit" or "Soul"
|
| Risei 利清 |
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利 (Ri) = "Benefit" or "Profit"
清 (Sei) = "Pure" or "Clean"
Literal translation: "Pure Benefit"
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| Ryokuzan 緑山 |
| |
Ryokuzan 緑山
緑 (Ryoku) = "Green"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Green Mountain"
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| Ryozan Okamoto 岡本亮山 |
| |
岡本 (Okamoto) = Surname "Okamoto"
亮 (Ryo) = "Bright" or "Clear"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Bright Mountain, Okamoto"
Leading decorator for the Yasuda Company, see also Yasuda.
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| Ryudo 龍道 |
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龍 (Ryu) = "Dragon"
道 (Do) = "Path" or "Way"
Literal translation: "Dragon Path" or "Way of the Dragon"
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| Ryu’un 龍雲 |
| |
龍 (Ryu) = "Dragon"
雲 (Un) = "Cloud"
Literal translation: "Dragon Cloud"
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| Ryuzan 隆山 |
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隆 (Ryu) = "Prosperous" or "Noble"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Prosperous Mountain"
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| Seikaku 清覚 |
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清 (Sei) = "Pure" or "Clear"
覚 (Kaku) = "Enlightenment" or "Awakening"
Literal translation: "Pure Enlightenment"
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| Seikodo 清光堂 (Seikado?), 西京清光堂造 |
| |
清 (Sei) = "Pure"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
堂 (Do) = "Hall" or "Temple"
Literal translation: "Pure Light Hall"
西京 (Saikyo) = "Western Capital" (Old name for Kyoto)
清光堂造 (Seikodo Zo) = "Made by Seikodo"
Literal translation: "Made by Seikodo, Western Capital"
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| Seikozan 清光山 (‘Kozan) |
| |
Seikozan 清光山 (‘Kozan)
清 (Sei) = "Pure"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Pure Light Mountain"
Exceptional artist located in Kobe.
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| Seizuzan 清瑞山 |
| |
清 (Sei) = "Pure"
瑞 (Zui) = "Auspicious"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Auspicious Pure Mountain"
|
| Seitoen 精陶園 |
| |
精 (Sei) = "Exquisite" or "Refined"
陶 (To) = "Ceramics"
園 (En) = "Garden"
Literal translation: "Refined Ceramics Garden"
|
| Seizan 清山 |
| |
清 (Sei) = "Pure"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Pure Mountain"
|
| Sekiaei 石栄 |
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石 (Seki) = "Stone"
栄 (Aei) = "Prosperity" or "Glory"
Literal translation: "Prosperous Stone"
|
| Senkai 泉海 |
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泉 (Sen) = "Spring" or "Fountain"
海 (Kai) = "Sea"
Literal translation: "Spring Sea" or "Fountain Sea"
|
| Senzan 泉山 |
| |
泉 (Sen) = "Spring" or "Fountain"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Spring Mountain"
|
| Shibuyazan 渋谷山 |
| |
渋谷 (Shibuya) = "Shibuya" (a place in Tokyo)
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Shibuya Mountain"
|
| Shikai-ichi 四海一 (See Furukawa) |
| |
四 (Shi) = "Four"
海 (Kai) = "Seas"
一 (Ichi) = "One"
Literal translation: "One of the Four Seas" (See Furukawa for more details)
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| Shiroyama 城山 (See Furukawa) |
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城 (Shiro) = "Castle"
山 (Yama) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Castle Mountain" (See Furukawa for more details)
|
| Shizan 紫山 |
| |
紫 (Shi) = "Purple"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Purple Mountain"
|
| Shogetsu 松月 |
| |
Shogetsu 松月
松 (Sho) = "Pine"
月 (Getsu) = "Moon"
Literal translation: "Pine Moon"
|
| Shoko Takebe 庄子武部 (Thomas B Blow in katakana) |
| |
Shoko Takebe 庄子武部 (Thomas B Blow in katakana)
庄子 (Shoko) = "Surname Shoko"
武部 (Takebe) = "Martial Arts Department"
Literal translation: "Shoko Takebe" (Thomas B Blow in katakana)
|
| Shopo 松峰 |
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松 (Sho) = "Pine"
峰 (Po) = "Peak"
Literal translation: "Pine Peak"
|
| Shosen 松泉 |
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松 (Sho) = "Pine"
泉 (Sen) = "Spring" or "Fountain"
Literal translation: "Pine Spring"
|
| Shozan 松山 |
| |
松 (Sho) = "Pine"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Pine Mountain"
|
| Shugetsu 秋月 |
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秋 (Shu) = "Autumn"
月 (Getsu) = "Moon"
Literal translation: "Autumn Moon"
|
| Shuho 秀峰 |
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秀 (Shu) = "Excellence" or "Outstanding"
峰 (Ho) = "Peak"
Literal translation: "Excellent Peak"
|
| Shuzan 秋山 |
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秋 (Shu) = "Autumn"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Autumn Mountain"
|
| Sodo 草堂 |
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草 (So) = "Grass" or "Herb"
堂 (Do) = "Hall" or "Temple"
Literal translation: "Grass Hall"
|
| Sozan Suwa 諏訪素山 |
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諏訪 (Suwa) = "Suwa" (a place name)
素 (So) = "Plain" or "Simple"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Simple Mountain, Suwa"
Suwa Sozan I (1852-1922).
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| Sozan 素山 (see Kinkozan) |
| |
素 (So) = "Plain" or "Simple"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Simple Mountain" (See Kinkozan for more details)
|
| Suizan 水山 |
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水 (Sui) = "Water"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Water Mountain"
|
| Tachibana 橘 |
| |
橘 (Tachibana) = "Mandarin Orange"
Literal translation: "Mandarin Orange"
|
| Taizan Yohei 泰山与平 (1864-1922) |
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泰山 (Taizan) = "Great Mountain"
与平 (Yohei) = "Given name Yohei"
Literal translation: "Great Mountain, Yohei"
Adopted by the Taizan family in 1878. Transformed their pottery in Kyoto into a large factory making Satsuma wares.
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| Tanaka 田中 |
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田 (Ta) = "Rice Field"
中 (Naka) = "Middle" or "Inside"
Literal translation: "Middle of the Rice Field"
|
| Taniguchi 谷口 |
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谷 (Tani) = "Valley"
口 (Guchi) = "Mouth" or "Entrance"
Literal translation: "Mouth of the Valley" or "Valley Entrance"
|
| Tanshu 丹州 |
| |
丹 (Tan) = "Cinnabar" or "Red"
州 (Shu) = "Province" or "State"
Literal translation: "Red Province"
|
| Tanzan 丹山 |
| |
丹 (Tan) = "Cinnabar" or "Red"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Red Mountain"
|
| Tashiro 田代 |
| |
田 (Ta) = "Rice Field"
代 (Shiro) = "Generation" or "Substitute"
Literal translation: "Generation of the Rice Field"
|
| Tohozan 東峰山 |
| |
東 (To) = "East"
峰 (Ho) = "Peak"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Eastern Peak Mountain"
|
| Tokozan 徳光山 |
| |
徳 (Toku) = "Virtue" or "Morality"
光 (Ko) = "Light"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Mountain of Virtue and Light"
|
| Toyama 富山 |
| |
富 (To) = "Wealth" or "Abundance"
山 (Yama) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Wealthy Mountain"
|
| Tozan Ito 陶山伊藤 |
| |
Tozan Ito 陶山伊藤
陶 (To) = "Ceramics"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
伊藤 (Ito) = "Surname Ito"
Literal translation: "Ceramics Mountain, Ito"
Ito Tozan (1846-1920). Established business in Kyoto in 1867. Made table wares and earthenware in the Satsuma style. |
| Tsunenobu 常信 |
| |
常 (Tsune) = "Constant" or "Eternal"
信 (Nobu) = "Faith" or "Trust"
Literal translation: "Constant Faith"
|
| Ume Kokoro 梅心 (Umekokoro) |
| |
梅 (Ume) = "Plum"
心 (Kokoro) = "Heart" or "Spirit"
Literal translation: "Plum Heart"
|
| Urazakiyama 浦崎山 |
| |
浦 (Ura) = "Bay" or "Inlet"
崎 (Saki) = "Cape" or "Promontory"
山 (Yama) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Mountain of the Cape Bay"
|
| Yabu Meizan 藪明山 (see Meizan) |
| |
Yabu Meizan 藪明山 (see Meizan)
藪 (Yabu) = "Thicket" or "Bush"
明 (Mei) = "Bright"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Thicket Bright Mountain"
|
| Yasuda 安田 (Kyoto trademark, see page 142) |
| |
安 (Yasu) = "Peace" or "Safety"
田 (Da) = "Field"
Literal translation: "Peaceful Field"
|
| Yasuda trademark, Kizan 安田商標鬼山 |
| |
安田 (Yasuda) = "Peaceful Field"
商標 (Shouhyou) = "Trademark"
鬼山 (Kizan) = "Demon Mountain"
Literal translation: "Yasuda Trademark, Demon Mountain"
|
| Yasuda trademark, Kozan 安田商標光山 |
| |
Yasuda trademark, Kozan 安田商標光山
安田 (Yasuda) = "Peaceful Field"
商標 (Shouhyou) = "Trademark"
光山 (Kozan) = "Light Mountain"
Literal translation: "Yasuda Trademark, Light Mountain"
|
| Yasuda trademark, Nikkozan 安田商標日光山 |
| |
安田 (Yasuda) = "Peaceful Field"
商標 (Shouhyou) = "Trademark"
日光山 (Nikkozan) = "Sunlight Mountain"
Literal translation: "Yasuda Trademark, Sunlight Mountain"
|
| Yasuda trademark, Ryozan 安田商標亮山 |
| |
安田 (Yasuda) = "Peaceful Field"
商標 (Shouhyou) = "Trademark"
亮山 (Ryozan) = "Bright Mountain"
Literal translation: "Yasuda Trademark, Bright Mountain"
|
| Yasuda trademark, Seikozan 安田商標清光山 |
| |
安田 (Yasuda) = "Peaceful Field"
商標 (Shouhyou) = "Trademark"
清光山 (Seikozan) = "Clear Light Mountain"
Literal translation: "Yasuda Trademark, Clear Light Mountain"
|
| Yasuda trademark, Shuzan 安田商標秋山 |
| |
安田 (Yasuda) = "Peaceful Field"
商標 (Shouhyou) = "Trademark"
秋山 (Shuzan) = "Autumn Mountain"
Literal translation: "Yasuda Trademark, Autumn Mountain"
|
| Yasuda trademark, Yuzan 安田商標裕山 |
| |
安田 (Yasuda) = "Peaceful Field"
商標 (Shouhyou) = "Trademark"
裕山 (Yuzan) = "Abundant Mountain"
Literal translation: "Yasuda Trademark, Abundant Mountain"
|
| Yasui 安井 |
| |
安 (Yasu) = "Peace" or "Safety"
井 (I) = "Well"
Literal translation: "Peaceful Well"
|
| Yoshi 吉 |
| |
吉 (Yoshi) = "Good Fortune"
Literal translation: "Good Fortune"
|
| Yoshinobu 義信 |
| |
義 (Yoshi) = "Justice" or "Honor"
信 (Nobu) = "Faith" or "Trust"
Literal translation: "Righteous Faith"
|
| Yosuke Matsuzawa 松沢洋介 (Satsuma dealer) |
| |
松沢 (Matsuzawa) = Surname "Matsuzawa"
洋介 (Yosuke) = Given name "Yosuke"
Literal translation: "Matsuzawa Yosuke"
|
| Yozan 陽山 |
| |
陽 (Yo) = "Sun" or "Light"
山 (Zan) = "Mountain"
Literal translation: "Sunlit Mountain"
|
| Yuzan, Ichiryusha Yuzan 裕山一柳舎 |
| |
裕山 (Yuzan) = "Abundant Mountain"
一柳舎 (Ichiryusha) = "One-Willow Hermitage"
Literal translation: "Abundant Mountain, One-Willow Hermitage"
|
| Zuisensai 瑞泉斎 |
| |
瑞 (Zui) = "Auspicious"
泉 (Sen) = "Spring" or "Fountain"
斎 (Sai) = "Purification" or "Hermitage"
Literal translation: "Auspicious Spring Hermitage"
This page is dedicated as a tribute to Ian Heriot of New Zealand. The list of Satsuma artists and names found on Satsuma pottery, presented here, was shared with me as a work in progress during a conversation about the challenges of tracing and understanding Japanese Satsuma marks. The transcriptions of these names back into Kanji, along with their tentative translations, are my own, and I take full responsibility for any errors.
Ian Heriot’s primary passions were collecting Japanese woodblock prints and Satsuma pottery, deciphering signatures and marks, and exploring Japanese legends, history, and craftsmanship. He collected prints for over 30 years, and eventually parted with some of his collection to the National Museum of New Zealand.
Mary Heriot, also a foremost expert on Satsuma wares, who remains a moderator of the Gotheborg.com Discussion Board, shared Ian’s love for Japanese pottery and art. Both Ian and Mary have been members and contributors to the Gotheborg Discussion Board since its inception in 2003.
It is my hope and ambition that the publication of this list will serve as a contribution to and a valuable knowledge resource for future collectors of Satsuma pottery, which I believe was Ian's original intention when he began compiling this. We encourage anyone interested to contribute and share their insights, helping to expand and refine this resource over time, ideally by becoming a member of the Gotheborg Discussion Board.
The Gotheborg.com marks page, as a whole, was originally initiated by a generous donation of marks from the collection of Karl-Hans Schneider, Euskirchen, Germany, in July 2000. It has since then been greatly expanded by further contributions of many dedicated collectors, friends and visitors.
© Jan-Erik Nilsson, 2024.
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