What does it say??

Made in Murokawa.

On the right under Japan, it says "zettsu??" I have never seen the character underneath zetsu. It probably means something like "fancy good from Japan, made in Murokawa." This is a cheap souvenir from a town near Tokyo (probably).

Actually that's not zetsu. I don't know what that word is on the right. I've never seen it. I will figure it out.

Make America great again

Don’t trust what you hear here.

I posted a piece from Nagasaki, 1945, and was told it said “made in China”. It actually listed the company, near Nagasaki, that made it. They are still in business today and are 100 years old or so. Anyway, I got the wrong info here.

I am convinced I can buy a house with this.

Jealous, bitches?

[quote]R3 I don't know what that word is on the right. I've never seen it. I will figure it out.

Thank you!

Of course, will pay you for your time with all my newfound RICHES!!

This could be from a lacquer shop in Okinawa that specializes in Shinto and Buddhist things. The bizarre characters under Japan might be an Okinawan name, which is why I don't recognize it (I do not think they are Chinese characters, because I have a basic understanding of Classical Chinese as well as advanced knowledge of Japanese). I don't think it is worth much, but you never know.

Of course get it properly looked at. I am the closest thing to an expert you'll get on a random board on the internet, not a pro at antiques.

Could be this shop, who knows.

It says “ when drinking from the well , remember those that dug it.”

Can I get a translation, please? R8 seems earnest.

Antiques roadshow

I’ve wondered if my Nagasaki vase might be radioactive. Probably too late now.

I once worked at a nuclear shipyard. Once a year, they would scan the offices for radioactivity, to make sure that a Homer Simpson-type didn’t drag radioactive waste back from the yard. My elder coworker had a 1970s watch with a glow in the dark dial from that era. It raised all these red flags and they made him leave it home, thereafter.

It says, “Never mix the milkh mit fleysh.”

"In the ice box you'll find in a can some leftovers of moo goo gai pan"

I think it says "Wan-tai" dynasty ... oh wait, make that "Tai-wan"

It says “eat the moo goo gai pan and we will have the double chin dynasty

“Thank you for being a friend”.

Says "Ancient Chinese Secret, Huh?"

It say Sum Ting Wong.

I love you R13. hahahahahaha

It says: My Pussy Stinks...seriously!

... and with my pussy you get egg roll!

It says:

Chinese Japanese Dirty knees What are these?

It says "Japanese BBQ Finger"

Do you have photos of the front?

As others have pointed out, it says it was made in “Murokawa,” which is a town in Okinawa, so it could be Ryukyuan lacquerware (Ryukyu-shikki 琉球漆器). During the occupation, Ryukyuan lacquerware was popular among American troops stationed in Okinawa. Most likely your tray is just decades old.

The only lacquerware shop in Murokawa currently listed on Google is “Teruya Shikkiten,” which r8 linked to in his post, but I'm skeptical that’s the shop that produced your tray because Teruya’s main shop is located in Naha and they mainly sell Buddhist altar items. It's possible the shop that produced the tray is long gone.

R2 r3 I think it’s supposed to be “日本紀_.”

R10 That's "Kutani." 久谷 Kutani-ware fakes are common so beware.

What's the character after murokawa? Looks like part of a name. The last one would be "zou" if it was part of a name.

Or does the last one just mean "product of" or some equivalent?

R25, thank you.

[quote]r25 Most likely your tray is just decades old.

Okay. Then I am willing to drop the price to $25,000

pm me!

日本紀 ??

That strange ?? Is definitely not a Chinese character.

It says "My pronouns are long/duck/dong."

This just shows that white people don't know the difference between Chinese and Japanese. They all look alike, right?