Page 187 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

PROVINCE OF SADO i2i

I4I3- Bowl. D. 4J in. Fine light fawn clay grained with darker colored clay, clear
shiny transparent glaze. Decoration of flower and leaves in white slip outlined in brown,
and brown pine needles. 1869
I414. Flattened globular bottle, long cylindrical neck. H. 6 in. Fine brownish clay,
rich fawn glaze coarsely crackled. Vigorous drawing in dark brown of fruit and leaves.
1869
I4I5- Square cake-tray, corners flattened. L. 6 in. Fine cream-white clay. Inside,
ornamental border and landscape in purple, green, and yellow lined with black. 1869
I416. Rectangular cake-tray, four short fluted legs. L. 7J in. Soft yellowish clay,
thick white glaze glistening, with splash of bright green glaze. Landscape in purple.
Choraku (imp.). 1869

KIMPEIZAN (Case 13) 1416
A potter named Kimpeizan started an oven near Iwakuni early in 1874, and con-
tinued for some years. The pottery was of white' clay and white glaze.
1417. Flower-vase, elongate oval. H. 8J in. Wnite clay and glaze crackled. Two
bands of formal leaves moulded and applied. Scallop around border in relief. 1874
1418, I4I9- Plate and flower-holder. White clay and glaze. 1874

PROVINCE OF SADO
•
Though the island of Sado has produced little in the way of pottery,
yet the work of Kintaro is regarded as having considerable merit. It
certainly is most distinctive in its character. Kintaro 's work appealed to
the severest tastes of the tea cult. In latter years Jozan and Tomitaro have
also made a distinctive pottery less severe in taste.

KINTARO (Case 13)
In the early part of this century Kintaro, of Aikawa, went to Kyoto to learn from
its potters the higher secrets of the art. Before leaving his native place he had made
a form of hard pottery as well as a kind of Raku. The hard pottery of the first
Kintaro is very characteristic. It is made of yellowish-white clay, with greenish or
brownish glaze, and gives out a ringing sound. The pieces are usually in the form of
bowls, or shallow dishes, moulded, and bear the incised marks of Sa Kin, or Sashu
Kintaro tsukuru. Specimens of the above description may be accounted as the work
of the first Kintaro, with an age of ninety years or more. Native records state
that Gombei, of Niiho, brought six potters from Shigaraki, Omi, to Sado, and here
they worked for several years. To these potters must be attributed pieces bearing
the impressed mark Kintaro. These pieces were invariably identified as Shigaraki,
Omi, by experts in Japan, until the obscure mark was deciphered. They are