OIL SPOT/WATER SPOT Technique: Some Nippon pieces have a decorative treatment in the background that looks like a water or oil spot. It is not a prominent feature but adds  subtle interest and texture to a porcelain piece using paint and the removal of paint to create the effect.  Dr. Yoshie Itani, author and “old Noritake” expert, was able to shed some light on how this was accomplished. She explained that Old Noritake employed a technique called shiro-nuki to remove (subtract or lighten) a small amount of paint to make the tips of flower petals look delicate and light. She explained this was adapted to remove a bit of the paint with a tool that had been dipped in oil to create this special feature that resembles oil or water spot. Most of the wares that have oil spot have a dark(er) background peppered with spots of the same color, just much lighter. The name “oil spot” seems very appropriate for some of these wares, but some spots are found behind dragons or flowers and maybe “water spot” is more fitting for these, even though they were technically removed with oil. These items have been found with the green JVP 47 – M in Wreath – used between 1911 and 1921, and a few with the Maple Leaf (1891 – 1921).

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