Identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
The base bears the definitive underglaze blue cursive mark for Tachikichi (たち吉). The ribbed porcelain body, brown-dressed rim (kuchi-beni), and combination of underglaze blue (sometsuke) with overglaze green and peach enamels (iro-e) are hallmark characteristics of Tachikichi's mid-to-late 20th-century tableware.
Story
Tachikichi, founded in Kyoto in 1752, is one of Japan's oldest and most prominent producers of ceramics. During the mid-to-late 20th century (Showa to Heisei eras), the company excelled at producing high-quality commercial tableware that combined traditional Japanese decorative techniques—such as underglaze blue (sometsuke) and overglaze enamels (iro-e)—with modern utility.
Maker / Origin
Tachikichi
Condition & Value
Based on the visible photos, the top bowl appears to be in excellent condition, with vibrant, intact enamels and a clean kuchi-beni (brown-dressed) rim. However, the condition of the lower bowls in the nesting stack is currently unverified.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for mid-to-late 20th-century Japanese factory ceramics is steady but modest, primarily driven by buyers seeking functional, aesthetic tableware rather than high-end antiquities. Tachikichi is a recognized and respected brand, which helps these pieces move faster than unmarked wares. Complete nesting sets with traditional motifs (like sometsuke and iro-e) perform best on platforms like Etsy and eBay, appealing to interior decorators and vintage home goods enthusiasts.
▲ Confirmed Tachikichi underglaze mark establishes brand quality and baseline market value.
▲ Traditional iro-e (overglaze enamel) over sometsuke (underglaze blue) is a highly desirable, classic Japanese decorative style.
▲ Nesting bowl forms are highly practical and popular among contemporary buyers.
▼ Unverified piece count — nesting sets with fewer than 3 bowls will see a significant value drop.
▼ Hidden condition issues — chips or hairlines on the lower, unphotographed bowls would severely discount the set.
▼ Unknown dimensions — larger sets command premiums over smaller, individual-serving sizes.
Best Venue
List the set on a broad secondary market platform like eBay or Etsy, targeting buyers of vintage Japanese home goods. Prior to listing, unstack the bowls and photograph each piece individually (front and back) to confirm the total piece count and prove the absence of chips or cracks, which will help realize the high end of the estimate.
Upside Potential
If the set is confirmed to contain 4 or 5 pristine bowls, or if the largest bowl exceeds 8 inches in diameter, the value could push toward the $100-$120 range, which is typical for large, complete vintage Tachikichi sets.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.