Page 30 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

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lo INTRODUCTION

Tools and Utensils
Tools used in the construction of a house or vessel, utensils connected
with husbandry and domestic work generally, as the rake, hoe, broom,
though it may be a ceremonial rake or broom to sweep the little devils out
of the house, the distaff, reels, etc., often occur as embellishments.

Structures
One sees on pottery the representation of certain structures, a house
roof or simple roofing tile, a castle wall, a bridge or simple bridge post, a
trough for conducting water, a well-curb, a rustic fence, a torii, and many
others. An infinite variety of such objects is seized upon by the Japanese
potter as appropriate subjects for pottery embellishments. Strange and
often grotesque as many of these appear to be, the artist, in his choice,
has had a definite object in view : they all convey some sentiment of rural
felicity, home life, some hint or suggestion of pleasant association.

Crests
The mon, which is the equivalent of our heraldic designs, crests, etc., is
often seen on pottery, and the exquisite character of these conventional
fieures lends itself with great effect. The mo7i of the Mikado and the
families of the Shoguns and certain dominant families are seen upon ves-
sels, some of which may have been used by the retainers of these fami-
lies. When a daimyo or other official ordered pottery from some potter of
his own or even of some remote province, he desired the crest of his family
to be used in the decoration of each piece. When families are united in
marriage, the crests of both families may be found interwoven or overlaid as
a decoration.

Symbolism
The Japanese are rich in symbolism, and largely draw on this material in
selecting designs for their art industries. Brocade, metal work, pottery and
lacquer, all bear witness to the infinite variety of these subjects, and the
never-ending way in which they are transformed for the purposes of decora-
tion. We, also, are rich in symbolic figures, illustrating attributes or condi-
tions, such as hope, faith, plenty, time, courage, meekness, justice, etc. How
rarely, however, are these objects brought into use as decorative motives
With the exception of the conventional heart, the wheel of fortune, and
possibly a few others, our symbols are represented by the depiction of
veritable objects, such as the scales for justice, dove for peace, hour-glass for