Barb’s Blog » Grandmom’s Tea Set

Grandmom’s Tea Set

June 19, 2007 at 9:40 am · Filed under Personal

When my grandmom passed away, it was up to my mom, dad, sister and I to go through her things and figure out what to do with it all. One of the items I picked out for myself was a small tea set. I don’t know why I liked it, but my sister and mom didn’t want the delicate set and I took it. It was neatly put away in a special box.

Japanese tea set

For years it stayed in that special box until my daughter was born and had her first tea party.

tea cup and saucer

Now I am not any kind of antique expert, so recently I have been curious what the meaning of the writing is under the saucer:

japanese writing? This could well be upside down for all I know.

One of the freakiest moments we have had though, was during Laura’s little tea parties with her friend Shelby, they both got a little spooked when at the bottom of their cup, at the end of their tea, they both noticed, “Hey, there is a face in my cup!”

Sure enough, closer examination showed a definate image of a Geisha looking lady, inside the bottom of their tea cups!

japanese lady at the bottom of the cup

geisha at bottom of tea cup

Now that we’re used to our little lady at the bottom of our teacups we’re not so spooked anymore, just a little curious as to the origins of my grandmom’s little tea set.

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John Kaiser said,

June 20, 2007 @ 1:41 pm

That is really neat.

the Grit said,

June 20, 2007 @ 2:18 pm

Hi Barb,

If your Grandfather was in the war, it could be Japanese from that time, or earlier. During the first year or two of occupation, many people traded family heirlooms to soldiers for food. These were shipped home or lost in poker games. Many of the items mailed back to the states, found their way into the possession of postal workers. You should have it appraised by a professional, unless Antiques Roadshow is going to be in your neighborhood.

the Grit

Beth Ellen said,

June 20, 2007 @ 6:13 pm

Wow, that is really a really great tea set there. I would def. have it appraised and learn of its history.

Cliff said,

July 5, 2007 @ 12:12 pm

The characters under the saucer could be either in Japanese Kanji, or Simplified Chinese. And since i onlt know Chinese, it literally translated to “Nine Valley”. To make it sound nicer and more appropriate, “The Ninth Valley”.

There are a few explanations to those characters being there.
Could be the manufacturer’s name, or the craftman’s name, or even a location name. The most possible reason i believed is the surname or family name of the particular family whom owned the tea-set.
Reason, as the tea-set is so exquisite, it could be custom made for that family which should be well-to-do during that era. And since it is custom made, it will be possible to add something to the item to make it more unique, and therefore the family name.

The Tea Lady said,

November 5, 2007 @ 12:50 pm

Thank you for sharing such a special story about your rare find. I’m always fascinated with any information about tea, and your find was delightful to read about. The picture of the geisha in the bottom of the tea cup is magical.

Laurie S said,

March 20, 2008 @ 10:39 pm

I have a teacup that my grandmother gave me years ago (at least 40 years ago) and we noticed and laughed about a figure in the bottom of the cup, similar to the picturs above, except it is a nude woman sitting. only lettering is Made in Japan. Just curious if it is of any value or has any real history. 1st time I’ve investigated it, but your site is nearest to what the figure is like. The outside of the cup and saucer have raised dragons.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Ran said,

March 30, 2008 @ 4:31 pm

Hi Barb,

I came across this blog kind of randomly, but I may have some useful information for you concerning this tea set. Cliff’s literal translation of the kanji is correct. In Japanese the kanji would be read as 九 “Kyu” or “Ku” (Nine) and 谷 “Tanima” (Valley). Together as 九谷 I read this as “Kutani”. So I believe that the kanji is marking the set as Kutani Ware, which is the name of a style of ceramics that originated in what is now the modern day Ishikawa Prefecture.

It’s a simply gorgeous set that you possess though, I must say, and you are lucky to have it. =)

I hope my information helps you. =)

~Ran

Vivien said,

August 27, 2008 @ 2:38 pm

Hi Barb I also have a full tea set that my uncle gave me for a engagement present in about 1965 he was in the British Merchant Navy,only mine is pink and gold with the lady in the bottom of the cups when you hold them up to the light.They are totally unusable because the dragons are raised and circle each piece of the tea set,but very beautifull,I have a tea pot,suger bowl,milk jug six plates.saucers and cups and one large plate,all my old school friends thought it was special
Vivien

Cyndy said,

August 29, 2008 @ 10:32 am

I have a couple of the cups with the lady, the print is black flowers and it has a saucer with it. I wondered how old this is? My mothers godmother gave them to her, my mother is now 85 and her godmother died in the 1960’s. Any info on these would be appreciated. Thanks

vanessa alvarado said,

September 4, 2008 @ 5:20 am

hey i have one two my husband just bought one for me
and i fell in love with it when i got it
so please e-mail me
back i heard the set i have is older than WWII

Licia said,

September 19, 2008 @ 1:56 pm

My grandmother also has a full set (of 8 or 10) including the rest of the tea service, pot and all. Hers are dark blue with a similar design on the outside of all the pieces. It is a lovely set and we are in the process of passing her wears on to the rest of the family because she has had to move into a smaller home.

It’s nice to see there are other sets out there. I too am looking for more information about them.

elaine sanders said,

October 7, 2008 @ 10:03 pm

I have a tea cup set with the dragons and snake on the outside withe the dragons. In the bottome of the fup is a Japanese or chinese lady, Where should I take it to get it appraise or to get the history of it. I live is St Louis, Mo.

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