Expert: Rita - 9/15/2006

Question
Hello Lady Rita
             When I was a very young man in the navy in 1956. our carrier was in Kobe japan .whilst ashore I purchased a beautiful set of what appears to be bone china.In those days after my shiip arrived home I would stash all of my souvineers junk Etc in the attic of our old summer house. Anyway after all these years have passed I finally got up there and opened some of the old stuff Whereupon I find six cups and  saucers,six small plates a teapot and sugar bowl. Each peice has a beautiful gold Dragon with deep red outlines painted on them.on the bottom of each piece is painted in goldolod japanese scroll;Made in Japan; And now the pieze du ristance If one raises the cups up to the light and looks into the bottom a very lovly Geisha girl appears as if a nagative photograph was placed thereeach cup is identical and I have no idea how this process might have been acheived Do you have any idea of the maker or value of a set of china sutch as this.Or did I Just lug home more junk. Great to hear from you
                        Ian Arnott Cmdr U.S.N
                                       Retired

Answer
Hello Sir Ian,
 For some reason this showed up on my grandparenting area instead of ceramics,but I got it and that is what is important.
 The set sounds delightful to me.I have heard of the transparent imaging before but have never tried it.
 I called a friend of mine and she suggested this site.

http://www.go-star.com/antiquing/antique_detectiveqa0806.htm

 If your wife is like me,the set is priceless.My father was a Seabee in World War II and my son was in Iraq til 1991.Both brought home many things.The most important thing though, is that they were able to bring them back.You did not lug home more junk,you brought home part of your life.
  Check your library for "Japanese Porcelain 1800-1950",written by Nancy N. Schiffer. If they don't have it,ask them to borrow it from another library.Our library does that and I live in smalltown U.S.A.
  I wish I could offer you more information on your wonderful tea set,but I cannot.Hopefully one of the above will answer your question.Rita