Page 236 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

CHINA

bouring province of Fuhkien, a steady trade was car-

ried on by Japanese junks. It is known also that the

province of Chekiang contained several important
potteries, and that the celebrated Kuan-yao and Lung-
chuan-yao of the Sung dynasty were manufactured there.

Japanese experts, however, do not assert that the Gosu

Aka-e was a product of Chekiang. They profess no

knowledge about its provenance, merely claiming that

it came to them from the place by the name of which

they designate it. On the whole the student may

perhaps accept their testimony, and regard the Gosu

Aka-e as the earliest representative of Chinese ware

decorated with verifiable enamels. Several specimens

are still carefully preserved and highly esteemed by

Japanese virtuosi. They consist chiefly of bowls, plates,

or small boxes, the last originally intended to contain

vermilion, but used in Japan as incense-holders. Red
as the name Aka-e denotes is the dominant colour

of the decoration. With it is associated, in small

quantities, a green enamel, brilliant but not very pure,

and the designs are usually picked out with gold of

rich, leaf-like character. The ware derives its value

chiefly from historical considerations, and is not ac-
corded any appreciation by Chinese connoisseurs.

During the first half century (13681400) of the
Ming dynasty no appreciable progress took place in

this branch of the art. But in the Tung-lo era (1403

1424) a new departure was made. Red came to be

used as a body colour on which were laid elaborate

scroll patterns or formal designs in gold. This beauti-
ful style of decoration, though it cannot have failed

to obtain favour at the time, did not rank high in the

estimation of Chinese connoisseurs. No specimen of
" "
it is given in the Illustrated Catalogue of H'siang.

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