Customer Reviews

Japanese marks and seals

5 star:		(1)
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As a novice in Japanese porcelain - this book was recommended to me by a Kutani and Satsuma collector. In doing so, I hummed and harh-ed over the price given that I am in Australia and the conversion currency rates left me breathless. Nonetheless, I took the plunge and brought the book, then waited 2 weeks for the book to arrive in Western Australia.

I opened the book and began to read. It took me approximately 20 seconds to fully realise I was looking at an academic approach towards japanese porcelain that disseminated the process and history of Japanese marks and seals. What was interesting was the fact that even though this book was academically focused - it read in simple terms. There was no complexities that often bogs down literature. This book reads well. To the point. Well illustrated. Clear. And furthermore, the author has included a very detailed historical account of the marks and seals found in the Meiji period.

Nonetheless, I awarded the book 5 stars out of 5 for its content, prose, approach and simplicity; however, there is a word of caution inserted here because I had to continually remind myself that this book was written in the Meiji (1800's) period. As a result of carelessness, the reader/collector could easily be lead into the belief that this book was written in the mid 20th century and not the 19th century as the content delves and examines the Meiji period in a simplistic manner. In other words, this is such a well written book - any one who is interested in Japanese marks and seals will appreciate this book and it will become a great asset to those people who are collecting Japanese porcelain in the Meiji period.

And so, if you don't have much money; but, you have a love of Japanese procelain - this book will give you the skills/tools/knowledge to read Japanese marks...

Kindest regards

Beverley McGhie

Australia