Anyone read Hebrew? And might know this makers mark? Ceramic Chalice

I have a lovely ceramic chalice, it has grapes and Hebrew writing on the front. Also has a maker mark I cannot seem to find. Thanks for any help!

 

According to Google Translate, קדוש‎ means "Holy" and "Kiddush." It's probably a kiddush cup.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiddush

 

Thanks! I guess I didn't think google would translate things that aren't letters I know... lol

 

The mark looks a little like a "torii gate".

 

It could easily be a Japanese-made cup made for the American Jewish market. Most families have a cup like this on the table during Passover with wine in it, at least for the Seder meal. It's there just in case Elijah drops in. I have a few of them myself. Some are ceramic, some glass, some metal, and once in a blue moon wood. They're made all over the place.

 

There is a small but very active Jewish community in Japan - quite old. The one in China is very old, centuries old in fact. So it could have been made for a domestic market as well.

 

Yes, they followed the Silk Road, and were already there during the Tang dynasty (618 – 907). Their position has always been equal to that of the majority Han population, and their was intermarriage. Most presentday Chinese Jews look very Chinese.

 

It's certainly possible, but the odds are higher it was primarily made for export.