Page 199 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

PROVINCE OF IZUMI 129
BUZEN IN GENERAL (Case 14 and Plate IX. i486)
The tea -jars are quite distinct from those of other provinces, though a few
approach in appearance those of Chikuzen.
i486. Tea-jar. H. 3J in. Light dull reddish-brown clay, thick fawn glaze without lustre,
splash of rich brown overglaze around shoulder running, lustrous. 1600
Type Ninagawa. Figured on unpublished plate.
1487. Tea-jar. Similar to last. 1600
Type Ninagawa. Figured on unpublished plate.
1488-1495' Various forms of tea-jars. 1600-1780

PROVINCE OF IZUMI

The pottery ovens of this province are limited to Sakai and its imme-
diate neighborhood. The myth that Gy5gi first introduced the potter's
wheel into Japan mentions Sakai as the place where he first used it.
MINATO (Case 14 and Plate X. 1501, 1505)
The founder of Minato pottery is said to have been Doraku, known as Kichibei, a
brother of the third Raku. He came to Sakai in 1655. Having no son to succeed
him, he adopted a Kyoto potter named Yahei, who is recognized as the second genera-
tion. The third generation, known as Kichiyemon, died in 1750, the fourth in 1787,
the fifth in 183 1, the sixth in 1849, the seventh in 1852. All these were known as
Kichiyemon. The eighth generation assumed the name of Kichibei, and died in 1861-
1864. The present generation resumed the family name of Kichiyemon. For these
statements I am indebted to Mr. Yamanaka. Ninagawa says that in the latter half of
the eighteenth century the yellow glazes were introduced, and the mark Minato was
first used. Still later the mark Minato Yaki was impressed upon the pieces. I have
not been able to separate the work of the various generations, and have classified
them simply by their appearance of age. The pottery was after the nature of Raku,
being soft and light, and usually having a transparent underglaze and a dull dark
yellowish overglaze. In some cases a bright green glaze occurs, and in the smaller
pieces white, yellow, and green glazes are seen together. The rarest are the early
gray and the purple and blue glazes. Unglazed specimens are also known.
1490. Shallow beaker. D. sJ in. Fine fawn clay, glistening gray underglaze, yellowish
below. Brush-marks in white turning to deep gray. Lathe-marks strongly marked.
Minato (imp.). 1800 /f^N
^497*- Ash-holder. D. Outside, unglazed. "iBv
6f in. Fine light fawn clay. In-
side, light yellow transparent glaze. Lattice-work impressed on opposite sides. '496
Minato yaki (imp.). 1830
1498. Flower-holder, bottle-shaped. H. 6f in. Fine yellowish clay, deep orange glaze.
Rough vertical grooves about neck. Minato yaki (imp.). 1830