Featured Thousand face pitcher, any ideas as to maker? or age?

This came up at auction a week or so ago and I had to pass it without having any idea of what it was. For future refernence: what's that mark on the bottom for one thing? And in general what do I call these things: "Thousand face something?" I couldn't find anything when I googled pitchers. Any general ideas on how to id these would be great. These are all the pics I have, like I said it was an auction and that's all I got.

 

It needs a lid.

 

A thousand tiny Japanese ladies trying to find their way in a crowd on the outside of a prunus blossom base pitcher?

 

where's Waldo?

 

Thanks for all the great information here. Is there really a place for a lid to sit on the pitcher on the one I posted? I dont see it.

 

multiple WP listings have this form as a chocolate pot

japan chocolate pot gold - page 1 | WorthPoint

 

Here in the Netherlands we would certainly call this shape a chocolate pitcher. We were the first to commission them from Japan in the 17th-18th century, so I guess we are to blame.