I have been interested in Fukagawa porcelains since 1990 and once in a great while an exceptional piece will come my way. This is a wonderful design of two birds on a pine tree branch, a design that appeared to be a limited edition. Fukagawa vases are known for their exquisite Japanese porcelain. The almost flawless translucent quality is a background for artistic designs often painted with fine detail and sometimes accented in gold. On this vase, gold dots are painted on the pine needles, and a few brush strokes of gold dropped in a serendipity way. The two birds resting on a tree branch are depicted in great details, their eyes look inquisitive. The clusters of pine needles fill out the blank canvas of the vase in different angles, forming a vignette of nature. The is another refinement to this vase. The globular shape ends in a raised foot rim that is recessed from the base, which is not found in later pieces. The maker's mark is an orchid, done in underglaze blue. The orchid symbolizes beauty, elegance and refinement, an appropriate symbol for this vase from the Fukugawa Koransha factor in the early 20th Century. The name Fukagawa may mean a lot to collectors of Japanese porcelains in this country but in Japan, the name is highly revered. Potters from the Fukagawa Family started work at the Imari kilns in Kyushu Island, Japan in 1650. Fukagawa Chuji was the best known Imari designer. He started his own ceramics company in 1894. The company was awarded the Grand Prize at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, and in 1910 FUKAGAWA-SEIJI was appointed official purveyor to the Japanese Imperial Household. This practice continues today. On my last visits to Japan, contemporary pieces from the Fukagawa company, are available for purchase in major department stores like Takashimaya, Diamaru and Yamakataya and many others.