Meiji period Japanese Akae Kutani signed vase c1900. The vase is of footed baluster form with short collar neck. Characteristic iron-red and gilt overglaze decoration known as Akae Kutani or Iidaya style. Hand painted floral and foliate decoration around its body with birds (which were a popular Kutani motiff). Geometric bands at its foot and rim. Painted marks to its base including the Kutani characters (九谷). The vase is 36 cm in height.
 
The word Kutani means Nine Valleys and is the name of an area and a village. Kutani ceramics are divided into two phases: Ko-Kutani (old Kutani), from the 17th and early 18th centuries, and Saikō-Kutani from the revival of production in the 19th century - primarily for export. Ko-Kutani was decorated in typical polychrome colours (and are very rare) whilst in the 19th century the style shifted to a more red design called Akae Kutani or Iidaya style.