Page 281 - Chinese Porcelain Vol II, Galland

KAKIYEMON. 377

correct, but that Tokuzayemon is not the same person as the
Kakiyemon or Kakayemon referred to by Mr. Winthrop ; that
later on the two worked together, the latter being the artist
whose work is so celebrated through having been copied all
over Europe. The Japanese say that although he never lost
his individuality of style, at the same time he no doubt
followed Chinese models, and that as the Chinese improved he
advanced, his early work being very inferior to his latter
He to have lived from
productions. is generally supposed
about 1610 to about 1690, and painted up pretty well to the
last, some few very fine specimens of his late style are said to
"
exist, signed Kaki."
Many may prefer the soft- looking paste of the old Japan
to the harder and more vitreous of the Chinese, but
porcelain
if during any range of years, a comparison is made either as
to the enamels employed or the skill with which they are
to the it will be found that most
applied porcelain, probably
will decide in favour of the Chinese, as do the Japanese them-
selves.
Kakiyemon, like many other Chinese and Japanese artists,
followed what is known in Japan as the Kinrante style, from
their decorations resembling that of brocades, and Kakiyemon's
flowers and birds all look very much as if they had been
cut out of a bit of silk brocade. This he probably got
from the Chinese, but when we now come across a
originally
of Chinese so decorated we at once it is
piece porcelain say
in the Kakiyemon style.
" "
Yemon seems to be a very common name in Japan, and
to have been known Mr.
many potters appear by it. Audsley
Keramic Art of was told that one Tominura
(" Japan," p. 115)
Kanyemon had to commit Hara Kari for dealing with the
Dutch in contravention of the then existing law, but this was
not our friend Kakiyemon.
No. 648. An octagon bowl. Diameter, 8f inches ; height,
4 inches. No mark. Is said to be one of Kakiyemon's
earliest It is painted in light-coloured blues and
pieces.
with red flowers.
greens
No. 649. An octagon plate. Diameter, 14^ inches ; height,
" "
2 inches. Mark, Kaki in green. This is said to be one of
his latest. The back of this beautiful plate is as carefully