From top to bottom

The circular, spiral stamp at the top is the “Hidari-Domoe” (左巴), or left-turning vortex mark. While it looks like a stylistic swirl, it is actually the official collective kiln signature of Agano-yaki or Agano ware. The symbol of Agano Ware.

Historically, this spiral pattern was created naturally on the pottery wheel when artisans shaved down the foot (kōdai), of a bowl. Since the Meiji period, Agano potters formalised this left-handed spiral into a stamped seal used to mark official pieces originating from the Agano kilns in Fukuoka.

Directly beneath the Agano symbol is a square stamp containing a stylised kanji character. This character reads as 甫 translating to Ho or Hajime. This is the personal artisan mark of Abe Hajime, highly respected modern Agano master potter.

Finding the official double stamp (Kaihō), outside the foot ring validates that this piece was thrown by a true lineage master within the Agano tradition, rather than a generic regional workshop.