Pr. Japanese/Chinese Bronze Shrine/Temple Vases ?

Here's a pair of Bronze,5 1/8'' Shrine/Temple (maybe?) Vases.Is it Chinese or Japanese,and (fingers .crossed) can anyone read the signatures.
They're solid as little anvils & watertight for les petite buds.

 

A remarkable signature, bosco!

 

I do love Asian calligraphy (symbology,pictography ?). Wonder what it says ?

 

I hope to be able to answer that for you...gimme a few days. Meanwhile others here may snipe my response, but either way you'll get a translation.

 

Whit-Here tis-"The mark reads 浄益造 “Made by Joeki." Joeki is the name used by a well-known family of Japanese metalworkers.
https://www.japanese-wiki-corpus.org/culture/Joeki NAKAGAWA.html

PS-Thanks Sir & anymore info is greatly welcome.

 

Instead of being vases, I think they might be the bottom part of lanterns such as these:

https://www.rubylane.com/item/986572-19-699/Japanese-Toro-Bronze-Temple-Altar-Lanterns

As their photos show, these lanterns come apart in several pieces that are stacked.

 

Good find 2Many-could very well be.I've got to find a Jokei Expert (shd be a few after 400 yrs !). Will research & email Pics to Japan.

 

Great Good Fortune, bosco!

 

Here is confirming translation of your signature, bosco...
Re: Signature Help, Please; Pair of Cast Bronze Vessels
Posted By: anonymous
Posted Date: Mar 06, 2023 (11:01 AM)
Message
Reads 'Jôeki zô' (made by Jôeki). Eventually Nakagawa Jôeki IX (九代 中川浄益, 1849-1911).

 

Whit-Thanks so much amigo.So do You think these were made between 1849-1911,or is 'Made by Joeki' a standard & undated mark ?

 

Hard to say. Both translations reference Joeki IX...but without specificity vis a vis your pair.
My meager understanding would allow me to hope for that individual, an' thus that time-frame (his lifespan, it would seem). Perhaps a worthwhile deep research project?

 

Deep research fun comin' up ! Sometimes after an item's fully understood it becomes a bit less fascinating,but the hunt-always a joy.