Page 40 - Japanese marks and seals on pottery, paper and other objects.

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2 MARKS AND SEALS ON POTTERY.

features which characterize the systems followed in the
various provinces and cities of the Empire.
The earliest marks are those found upon the rude
earthenware and stoneware vessels said to have been made
in Bizen and Owari, during the 13th and 14th centuries
the authenticity of these is, however, not well established,
and it is only necessary to give the following examples
before proceeding to deal with those which are undoubted,
the earliest of which date from the latter part of the i6th
or the commencement of the 17th century.

THE ITOGUIRI MARK,
ENGRAVED UPON OWARI ENGRAVED UPON ENGRAVED UPON BIZEN
STONEWARE. OWARI STONEWARE. STONEWARE.
Repittcd 13^4 Ce7itury. Repiited CenUtry, Rep7tted Cc7itury,

The manufacture of porcelain was introduced into Japan
by Gorodayu Shonsui, who settled in the province of Hizen
upon his return from China in 1513 a.d., and there commenced
the industry, which was brought to perfection a century
later by a Corean potter named Risampei. The ware then
produced is that decorated with red, blue, green, black,
and gold, in the nishikide fashion, and known in Europe
as Old Japan. The exportation commenced in 1641, and
examples are to be found in all European countries, but
the most important collection of this description of Japanese
porcelain is that formed by August II, between the years
i6g8 and 1711, and now preserved in the Japanese Palace
at Dresden.
Many of these works are marked underneath the