Collecting: Japanese Lusterware

Perhaps this post would be more accurately titled: Things I am determined to NOT start collecting: Japanese Lusterware" because by golly, I'm trying my hardest to resist with mixed results.

Japanese lusterware is distinctive because of its iridescent glaze and frequent use of the colors orange and a pretty greenish-blue. Once you see a few pieces you can pretty much spot it at 20 paces because it all has a very particular look, despite the fact that there were dozens of manufacturers.

According to this website, most Japanese lusterware dates from the mid-1920s to the end of the 1930s. I assume it was primarily made for export. The items I see most commonly are tea sets, especially children's tea sets.

These are pieces from my dear Gram's tea set that she had as a child. I feel very honored that she entrusted it to me! My Gram passed away last year and was born in 1923, so it is right on that her tea set would have been made during the period listed above.

My first Japanese lusterware purchases were this tiny plate with the pinecones and the tiny orange and blue egg cup. In fact, I purchased the egg cup several years ago at a senior center rummage sale in the town where my Gram lived. I didn't know anything about Japanese lusterware at that point--all I knew was that it resembled her little tea set, so I bought it and gave it to her.

Even before I acquired Gram's tea set, Japanese lusterware always caught my eye when I was out thrifting. Odd pieces turn up not infrequently at the thrift stores and I always looked at them, but never purchased any because I just didn't want to start collecting them. Recently I finally caved in and purchased a bag that contained both this set

and this ashtray.

The set on top is a salt and pepper and what I believe to be a toothpick holder on a clever little tray. The shakers are only a few inches tall.

And then more recently, I purchased this sweet little cup at an estate sale:

I have no idea what it is--the notched lid makes me think of a sugar bowl but generally sugar bowls have two handles. It's just darling and really makes me think of my Gram--she had pet birds for many, many years and I just know this is the kind of pretty little thing that she would have loved.

But now I'm positively determined NOT to buy any more Japanese lusterware! Honestly, the colors don't match anything in my house and I have no where to display them. I found a bag with a few pieces of a tea set recently at the thrift store and I passed it up, so I think I might be cured, but if I find any more sweet little cups with tiny green birds on the tops, I don't think I'll be able to restrain myself!

Is there anything that you're determined NOT to collect?