I don't know the mark either...
They are boullion cups. And very lovely I think. The pattern looks to me to be a 1950-ish style, but the fact that it says just "JAPAN" indicates earlier.
Not any of that engraved in stone, just indications.
Why not send a picture of the front and back to Replacements.com and see what they say?
Linda C

Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks Linda C. I really appreciate your input.

Yes, bullion cup. Yes........ lovely, and especially nice since you have the saucer with it. Also think it may be earlier than fifties. But the fact it just says Japan doesn't necessarily indicate earlier. You can preclude the occupation and war years because occupation era ware is stamped such and we didn't import during the war years. I don't recognise the mark either.

"doesn't necessarily indicate earlier"....but I think because it just says "Japan" as opposed to "made in Japan"...I think adds maybe a 55% probability of earlier rather than 45% not! LOL!
No definitive answer until someone id's the mark....
But aren't they pretty? If I saw them on a table at a sale and had to guess what they were without turning them over....I would say British, maybe Aisnley,,,Copeland?...Oh Wait....could they be French? Haviland?
Then I would turn them over and be blown away!!

Again, thanks LindaC and calliope. I have sent photos to replacements.com to see if they can help. I would love to have more if they can identify them. Then the search will be on! I will post the answer when I hear back from them.

I thought I'd send this follow-up post. I received an answer from Replacements.com and they were unable to identify the maker. They did say they would keep the photos on file for future reference in hopes of identifying them in the future.

Well nice to know that we are not the only dummies around! LOL! If Replacements doesnt's know....who does?
Linda C

Well nice to know that we are not the only dummies around! LOL! If Replacements doesnt's know....who does?
Linda C