Page 272 - Japanese marks and seals on pottery, paper and other objects.

234 ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS AND PRINTED BOOKS.

of ancient times, painted by Mitsuoki Tosa, about tbe period
of Manji, 1658 to 1661 a.d. The first inscription, which
gives the title in full, is found at the close of the work in
connection with the name of the artist, whilst the second, an
abbreviation of the title, is used by the painter as his seal,
and is stamped upon each painting.

SAKON NO SHOGEN. SHOGEN.

The title of Hogan, which probably emanated from a
government department or from the Shogun, and not from
the Mikado, is one which is conferred only upon painters
;
the example which is here given is taken from a makimono,
in the Bowes Collection, painted by Tosan Kanrakusai, a
member of the Kano family, who resided in Tokio under
the patronage of the Shogun.

HOGAN.

The third illustration is that of Koji, a title which is
assumed by painters and scholars the example given is
;
found in the makimono referred to above, in connection with
the name of Hichisho, the most accomplished master of
writing in modern times, who wrote the text of the work
referred to he died in 1858.
;

KOJI.
The only other character connected with the marks
upon books to which it is necessary to draw attention is