Page 77 - Japanese marks and seals on pottery, paper and other objects.

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MARKS AND SEALS ON POTTERY. 39

century for the makers of Old Japan ware to introduce modifi-
cations of the kiku crest of the Mikado into their decoration,
and occasionally to paint the crest, properly displayed, either as
a mark or as an ornament. But this practice was a contra-
vention of the law which prohibited the use of the imperial
crests by any subject, and it was probably discontinued after
the principal offender, Tomimura Kanyemon, was compelled to
commit the hara kiri, as described in Kcramic Art of Japan.
The crest was drawn in various ways, sometimes entire,
whilst in other instances only a portion of the figure was
shown the number of petals also varied, the correct num-
;
ber of sixteen being occasionally shown, as in the example
given below, but upon specimens of Old Japan in the Dresden
Collection the number of petals varies from twelve to thirty-one.
The following marks are copied from authenticated specimens:

THE KIKU CREST.
Used as a mark vfoii Old Japa7i hi the Dresaeii Collectioii.

A PORTION. THE WHOI.E.
Used as a decoratiofi npon a tea howl of Old Japan in the Bowes Collection.

Instances, however, occur where the crests of the Mikado
have apparently been used by authority, for they appear upon