Page 213 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

PROVINCE OF KII »39

KAIRAKUYEN RAKU (Case 15)
Records from the Raku family show that RiySniu (ninth Raku) accompanied
Zengoro Hozen when he was invited to Kii. From the same source I gathered the
additional information that the prince of Kii gave to Tanniu (tenth Raku) a stamp with
one form of Raku engraved upon it. The Raku signed Seinei is said to have been
made by Tanniu. The question arises as to which member of the Raku family made
Raku pottery in the castle of Wakayama.
1579 • Tea-bowl, flattened on four sides. D. \% in. Rough light fawn clay, transparent
underglaze. Thick dark brown overglaze, coarsely pitted, areas of underglaze showing
through. Lines incised on sides. Kairakuyen set and Raku (imp.). 1840
1580. Tea-bowl. D. 4J in. Coarse gray clay, thick black Raku glaze. Seinei and
crest of Tokugawa (imp.). 1840
1581. Shallow bowl. D. sf in. Coarse light pinkish-fawn clay, thick light reddish
Raku glaze with greenish-yellow and whitish areas,
coarsely crackled. Seinei and crest of Tokugawa
(imp.). 1840
X582. Tea-bowl. D. 4} in. Fine fawn clay,
light red Raku glaze showing whitish about rim.
Kairakuyen sei and Ya (imp.). 1840
1583- Leaf- SHAPED dish. L. 7J in. Moulded, Sides
strongly scalloped. Drab clay. Outside, dull ochre glaze,
lines incised. Inside, shining overglaze. Ya (imp.). 1840
1584. Incense-box. D. 2% in. Moulded in spiral. Light
buff clay, coarse orange-brown Raku glaze, olive -green in
portions. Kairakuyen sei and scroll (imp.). 1840
MEPPOTANI (Case 15 and Plate XIII. 1588)

The oven was opened in the village of Meppotani in 1790 or thereabouts. It is
said that Mokubei, of Kyoto, and Heikichi, directed the character of the work, and
later introduced the celadon glazes. A great variety of pottery was made, and the
influence of Mokubei is seen in the moulded forms and rich brown glazes. The work
is in pure Japanese style, and forms an exceedingly interesting group of pottery. The
pieces are signed with the impressed, written, or incised mark Zuishi.
1585- Water-jar. H. 5! in. Drab clay, grayish-drab glaze strongly crackled, Landscape
with houses in brown. Zuishi (imp.). 1700
Type Ninagawa. Part VI., Fig. 29.
1586. Tea-bowl, irregular. D. 5 in. Hard light brownish clay,
thick greenish-white glaze coarsely crackled. Under-decoration of
blue circles with greenish characters. Strong basal ring notched.
Zuishi (written in blue).
1790
1587' Shallow dish, with snout. D. 7J in. Thick and heavy.
Coarse drab clay, thick white glaze. Over-decoration of flowers 1583 1586
inside and out roughly drawn in red and green. Zuishi (imp.). 1790
Mate to type Ninagawa. Part VI., Fig. 30.