Small Sometsuke Plate; 4-toed Dragon, Phoenix Bird & Etc.

5 5/8" diameter, ~1 1/8" high, 3 1/8" foot rim; ~7.2 oz.
The signature block doesn't look (to me...) like typically Japanese. Are any of you familiar with this style of signature?
Also high on my wishlist for information about this plate is its age...it was sold (~25 years ago) as early 19th C, pre-Meiji Japanese, by a Japanese seller I trust...but I sure would like some other opinions.

The 3 shapes on the backside are, I think, representations of bats.
Do any of you know what the shapes between the dragon's nose an' the Phoenix tail represent?
Then there are those 4 claws...usually an indicator (absent others) of Chinese, or possibly Korean, origin. I'm over my head here, an' your comments an' suggestions are eagerly sought, an' most welcome.
Thanks for lookin'!

 

That's noice. No expert but looks like the dogs doodahs. I'd have snaffled it in a second.

 

Dogs Doodahs? That sounds like something disgusting you've stepped in, freshly deposited on a lawn somewhere!
An' snaffled...that is an uncommon word to see from across th' pond. Y'do a lot of snaffling in the course of yer travels, eh?

 

Dogs doodahs aka dogs bollocks aka bees knees. To snaffle is to sneakily take I would say. Shrewd move

 

Ya gotta get hep Whitster-"I say old bollock,shall we snaffle some of Bernard's sherry?"...dig baby ?

 

That looks Chinese and late 19th to me, can't see it being as per the original description, style isn't Japanese, mark isn't Japanese and potting looks late 19th/early 20th in form.

 

Bats, yes. Flaming pearl of wisdom in the centre? That mark is curious. If I saw it on a British item, I would say it's a faux asian mark which was done by several factories and Edme Samson.

 

To snaffle is to filch.

 

So: bollocks is balls?

 

Lol. Yes. Isn't this used in USA?

 

Perhaps, elsewhere...tho' I haven't heard it used around here (upper left corner of your US map).