Page 228 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

THE CATALOGUE
ISO
most of the work bears a mark of some kind, though sometimes two marks
are combined on one piece in a puzzling manner.

AKASHI (Case i6 and Plate XIV. 1760)
Akashi pottery is said to have been first made by Seisuke, a pupil of Ninsei. The
oldest specimens in the collection date back over two hundred years. The early
work is superior in every way to the more recent products, and bears evidences of a
skilful hand.
A bucket-shaped piece bearing the mark Akashi was identified by Ninagawa as
the early work of Seisuke while still with Ninsei as a student. See Cata- ^-^
logue, No. 3083. m3o)|

1759- Cake -PLATE. D. 6 J in. Flaring edge with three equidistant folds. V^^'
Fine light fawn clay, coarse crackle, stained. Bamboo in gray. Akashi Qxwp?). 1700 '759
1760. Haisen. L. 7^ in. Curved handle on one side. Elephants, bands, knobs, etc., in
high relief applied. Grayish-drab clay. Handle, elephants, bands, and in-
terior, rich dark green glaze running into black. Akashi-ura (imp.). 1 700 /^"qV
I761. Bowl. D. 2| in. Thick and heavy. Fine brown clay, light ^
gray glaze, finely crackled. Strongly turned, sliced, and indented.
V^
Akaura and Kigetsu an (imp.). 1700
1762. Wine-bottle, square. H. 8J in. Moulded. Yellowish-olive- TtCo
brown clay and glaze. Tree, scrolls, etc., in high relief. 1800
17^3' Flower-holder. H. 4f in. Moulded in form of flattened ring standing
on edge with circular base and small neck. Yellowish-olive-brown clay and glaze.
Surface closely covered with flowers in relief. 1830 '761

X764- Diamond-shaped dish. L. 3J in. Moulded. Gray-drab clay, grayish-drab glaze
inside, running over rim. Inside, scrolls. Cloth-mark below. Akashi Minato (imp.).
1840 Jm
1765*- Tea-cup. D. 2-^ in. Light brown clay, gray glaze, spotted. Inside, thick 5
white overglaze, with brush-mark of same on the outside. Akashi and Mikuni (imp.). (S
i860 '7^4
RYOSHI (Case 16 and Plate XIV. 1766)
Pottery bearing the mark Ryushi is identified as having been made in the village of
Akashi in 1 730 or thereabouts.

1766. Fire-vessel, octagonal. H. 3 in. Thick and heavy. Hard light reddish
clay, fawn glaze. Fret, diaper, rude flowers, etc., in brown. Ryushi (imp.). 1730
Exceedingly rare. ^"7?

ASAGIRI (Case 16)
An antiquarian in Harima declares that the mark Asagiri is one of the oldest in
Harima. The pottery is said to have been in existence since 1700. The appear-