Antique Nippon Lidded Hexagonal Container 8.5” Wide, Hand selling Painted Landscape, Gold Moriage, Green Maple Leaf Nippon Mark, Meiji Period

Antique Nippon Lidded Hexagonal Container 8.5” Wide, Hand Painted Landscape, Gold Moriage, Green Maple Leaf Nippon Mark, Meiji Period.

The Hexagonal selling Container dates back to the Meiji period, an era of Japanese history that extended from 1868 to 1912 under Emperor Meiji. He was known as the Emperor of Enlightenment and abolished the Japanese feudal land system in 1871.

The Nippon era began in 1891 when the Japanese porcelain was clearly marked "Nippon" due to the McKinley Tariff Act. This act required that all porcelain be marked with the country of origin. "Nippon" literally translates to "Japan". This porcelain was made specifically to be exported to the west with designs and patterns that suited American's tastes.

In 1921 the United States government changed its position and required that Japanese imports no longer be marked "Nippon", but with "Japan". This marks the end of the Nippon era.