🎎 Vintage Japanese Fish-Shaped Soy Sauce Dish (FOREIGN Stamp) – Meiji-Taisho Era – Japan Antique Roadshow

🎎 This delightful little ceramic dish is shaped like a fish—likely a sea bream (鯛, tai), a fish long associated in Japan with celebration and auspicious occasions. Its compact form and shallow basin suggest it was used for serving soy sauce (shōyu, 醤油) or condiments such as wasabi when enjoying sashimi. The hand-painted details—scales, gills, and a raised eye in low relief—give it an expressive, almost whimsical presence on the table.

What sets this piece apart is the word “FOREIGN” stamped on the underside—a notable historical clue.

🔎 About the “FOREIGN” Stamp:
Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the word “FOREIGN” was commonly used as a marking for Japanese export goods. This practice began after the U.S. Tariff Act of 1890 required imported goods to bear a country of origin. In the case of Japanese items, especially inexpensive or novelty wares like toys and dishes, the term “FOREIGN” was often used in lieu of “Japan” during a period when Japan had not yet achieved widespread international brand recognition. This practice peaked between 1893 and 1921, tapering off by the mid-1920s as country-specific designations became standard.

📅 Estimated Date Range:
Taking into account the “FOREIGN” mark, as well as the overall form, glaze, and wear, this piece was most likely produced in late Meiji (1868–1912) to early Taishō (1912–1926) Japan. These were pivotal years of modernization and cultural exchange, during which small ceramic exports such as this were highly popular in Western markets.

📏 Approximate dimensions:
• Weight: 40 g
• Length: 7.7 cm
• Width: 5.7 cm
• Height: 2.2 cm

The dish remains in good vintage condition, with no cracks and only modest signs of use—light discoloration and small nicks typical of a well-loved item of its age. Whether repurposed for table use or admired on display, it’s a charming piece of early Japanese export history.

Curated with care in Shizuoka City by Kurt Bell, this small ceramic fish dish carries not just soy sauce—but also a fascinating narrative of trade, identity, and the global journey of everyday beauty.

Embark with Kurt, an American journeyman born in 1964, as he explores Japan’s cultural and spiritual legacy through artifacts both ordinary and extraordinary. With Stoic reflection and insights from his memoir Going Alone, each object becomes a gateway to story, memory, and The Good Life. 🌄📚🎎

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📧 Email: dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com
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