Page 283 - Japanese marks and seals on pottery, paper and other objects.

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ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS AND PRINTED BOOKS. 245

The inscription upon the opposite page is copied from
the oribon painted by Masatami, from which the marks given
on the preceding page are taken, and of which it forms the
Preface. It is written upon yellow silk, and is a superb
example of caligraphy; the original page measures iif inches
by 15J inches, and the copy here given has been reduced
in size by Mr. Kawakami, who has also rendered it into
English as follows :
Those who paint flowering shrubs and rare grasses can-
not do better than conceive the spirit of their natural
power of growth. As to whether the branches should be
bending downward or looking upward —whether the leaves
should be thick or thin— whether the flowers should show
their faces or backs— whether the colours should be deep or
light— how can we attain perfection unless we study from
the very objects ? But we always find our power unequal
to the task when we come to the flowers of some humble
plants, whose daintiness and brilliancy dazzle our vision,
and in which there is the sweet colour of life and growth.
Indeed, they are beyond the sphere of the art, because there
is no surrounding object by means of which we can impart
life to the bare flowers. Therefore in this pursuit it is only
necessary that we should do our best in preserving tbe shapes,
the aspects, and peculiarities of the flowers which we intend
to produce. Whenever I see a flower or a grass, I never
fail, in spite of my meagre ability in painting, to copy it out,
so that it may serve the purpose of a model in the future.
Indeed, those who are called Botanists do not fail to paint
plants and their flowers and fruits, and their roots and stems,
in the most minute way and though they seem never to
leave one single point untouched, yet they too often spoil the
style of painting, and, besides, lose tbe fine spirit. Such is
far from what I desire. In short, I know only to satisfy the
extreme disposition of my own mind, and make this work
the treasure of my study.

Ki NO Masatami. Written by himself.