Page 28 - Japanese marks and seals on pottery, paper and other objects.

Vlll 6 PREFACE.

character. The stone ware vessels and figures made
in Owari, Bizen, Chikuzen, and elsewhere, between the

eighth century and the sixteenth, the earlier examples
of raku ware, and the ancient works in lacquer, which

are still preserved in Japan, were all rude in form,
workmanship, and decoration; and although the earlier
specimens of the porcelain known as Old Japan were

produced during the sixteenth century, the designs and

colours employed in its decoration were characteristie of
Chinese and Ettropean, rather than of Japanese art.
Considerable progress appears to have been made

durijig the seventeenth century; the potters of Satsuma
first employed gold in the decoration of their wares

in i6jo A.D. ; and those of Kaga commenced its tise
in 1 go A.D. It was in the latter year that the
celebrated Nonomtira Ninsei originated the mamifac-

ture of decorated farntce in Kioto, and it is probable

that the earliest examples of pottery of an artistic
character, other than Old Japan, date from this time.
During the period of Genroku, towards the close of the

centtiry, a number of skilful artists appeared, and
about this time the choicest works in lacquer were

made, and the occtirrence of a notable development in
the art of painting mc;y be traced by an examination

of the illuminated books produced between the periods
of Shotoku and Bunkwa (iji^ i8i8, A. D.), from

which several of the inscriptions are taken. Berhaps
the most brilliant period of Japanese art was the last