Page 64 - Japanese marks and seals on pottery, paper and other objects.

4

4
26 MARKS AND SEALS ON POTTERY.

marks. It has, however, long been the custom in Hizen
to make use of Chinese 5 r-marks, which have been
applied without regard to the date at which the ware was
made. Upon many of the choicest examples of Old Japan
porcelain, produced early in the 17th century, the mark of
the Tching-hoa period, 1465-1487 a.d., is found, and dates
even earlier than this are used such forged marks are
;
also found upon the earliest wares made in Kaga. The
practice has been recently revived in Hizen, and ancient
marks are freely used upon the imitation Old Japan which
is now being produced in large quantities for sale in
Europe and America in Owari, also, such marks are
;
found upon the modern porcelain coated with cloisonne
decoration.
The character Nen (year or period) occurs in most of
these marks, and as it is written in vanous styles, a few
examples may oe given

NEN.
Year or period.

^ 4 - tr

Hizc7i. Hizen. Hizeyi, Hizen. Hizeti, Hizen.

Kaga. Saisuma. Hizen. Hize^i. Owari,

The word Sai is occasionally used in the same sense.

SAI.
Year or period.
Hizen.