Page 190 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

124 THE CATALOGUE
143° • Large bowl. D. 4I in. Thick and ringing. Dark brownish clay, warm grayish
glaze. Base with cross-grooves. On side, Kinkei (inc.). 1800

1438

PROVINCE OF AWAJI

But few records are obtainable concerning the pottery of this province.
In the last twenty years an enormous amount of pottery with clear green
and yellow glazes undecorated has been made for the foreign market. The
province can preserve with pride the memory of Mimpei, one of the great
potters of Japan.

MIMPEI (Case 13 and Plate VII. 1439)
In 1830 Shuhei, the Kyoto potter, went to Igano village, and there became
acquainted with a doctor named Mimpei, who, interested in the potter's art, studied
with Shuhei, and traveled about Awaji in search of clays. In this experience Mimpei
became a potter. His work shows taste and originality, though the Kyoto influence
is strongly marked. Examples of his work are extremely rare.
1439- Cake-plate, thick walls. D. 6^ in. Coarse dark reddish-brown clay, transparent
underglaze, thick clear white overglaze, lustrous. Very coarsely crackled. Over-decora-
tion of bird and vine in brown showing light olive-brown in thinner portion. Outlines
scratched through brown, exposing white glaze below. Mimpei (imp.). 1830
Type Ninagawa. Vol. V., Fig. 18.
1440- Similar to last. D. 7J in. Mimpei (imp.). 1830
I44^- Flower-vase. H. ioJ in. Long looped handles with ani-
1439 1440 1441
mals' heads. Coarse grayish clay, thick dull reddish-brown glaze.
Outside, roughened surface and strong lathe-mark. Inside, thick light gray glaze. Wide
left-hand spiral on bottom. Mimpei (imp.). 1830
These three specimens are of great rarity.
SECOND GENERATION
The first Mimpei died when his son was an infant, and a nephew of Mimpei,
named Sampei, carried on the work for a while. When the son, in 1865 or there-
abouts, finally assumed control of the pottery he used marks similar to, if not the
same as, those used by his father. His work was in Awata style, and bowls with light