Page 17 - March 2025

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March 2025 The NaTioNal ButtonBulleTiN 15

Ad showing Yuzan products retailed by Aitosha
The retailer of the boxed floral button sets, Aitosha Co., Ltd., was founded in
1945 by Mr. Tokuo Ide who was the firm’s chief representative through at least
the late 1950s (Imperial Detective Agency, 1957). A few Yuzan button sets re-
tailed by Aitosha have “Ide Pottery” instead of “Yuzan China” printed on the lid.
This name likely relates to Mr. Tokuo Ide but further details are not yet known.
Aitosha also retailed sets of Yuzan miniature vases.
Large round porcelain buttons are found with the same designs as the realistic
florals molded in low relief at the center. One can assume they are also Yuzan
products, and therefore Arita, because of the very close resemblance to the
distinctive realistic buttons. The round buttons have a colored border in green,
white, or deep blue. A more deluxe variation of the round buttons was made with
hand-painted leaves in the border. Both types range from 1.25 to 1.5 inches in
diameter, have a line of gold luster at the rim, a peg shank, and are unmarked.
The backs are glazed except for the top of the shank. The other realistic florals
may also have been made in these round versions.

Round floral buttons with a border in green, white, or deep blue. View of the shank.

Roses and Peony deluxe versions featuring painted leaves in the border.