Japanese Lacquer Translation Sought

[hddennis]

Just ran across this and would like to know what it says.

 

Thanks,

Howard Dennis

[SteveM]

保徳哉作

 

Presumably the artist's name. I'm unsure of the pronunciation; Hōtokuya saku is my guess, but a search doesn't turn up anything obvious. 

[hddennis]

Thanks Steven, appreciate the help. I have another one I'm trying to find out what it says, if you are able to determine is it kanji or a stylized artist signature?

[SteveM]

禁山 (Kinzan?)　or

柴山  (Shibayama?) or

祭山  (?? Matsuriyama) or

something completely different. 

 

Of the above I think Shibayama sounds the most like an artist's name, but stylistically I feel the top kanji on your item looks closer to 禁 or 祭 or something else with 示 on the bottom. 

[hddennis]

Thanks Steve, I'll see if I can find anything researching that name.

 

Howard Dennis