For your consideration, this lot is a Vintage Japanese Satsuma Handled Polychrome Ceramic Baluster Vase, signed underneath with hiragana and kanji characters, circa 1920-1930. Satsuma ware (???, Satsuma-yaki) is a type of Japanese pottery originally from Satsuma Province, southern Kyushu. Today, it can divided into two distinct categories: the original plain dark clay early Satsuma (???, Ko-Satsuma) made in Satsuma from around 1600, and the elaborately decorated export Satsuma (???, Kyo-Satsuma) ivory-bodied pieces which began to be produced in the nineteenth century in various Japanese cities. By adapting their gilded polychromatic enamel overglaze designs to appeal to the tastes of western consumers, manufacturers of the latter made Satsuma ware one of the most recognized and profitable export products of the Meiji period (1868-1912). A telling feature of genuine pieces is that their bodies do not ring when tapped, since they are made from stoneware clay and not porcelain. This colourful vase features two Japanese women sitting in a formal garden amongst flowering cherry trees while dressed in traditional and very colourful kimonos as was prevalent during the Edo period (1603-1867) in Japan. This vase is richly adorned with gold gilt throughout, the finely crackled glaze providing a uniform background to accentuate the spectacular colours and textures. Oftentimes these vases were made in matching sets with one vase designated to be placed to the left of its matching partner. Many of the Japanese makers marks on Satsuma porcelain or pottery are simply the name of the person who made the item, or a generic marking such as "Dai Nippon Satsuma". This vase is in nice overall condition, no repairs noted. Measures 12"H x 8"W approximately, mouth is 5.5" diameter, base is 4.5" diameter.