Page 229 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

PROVINCE OF HARIMA 151

ance of the specimens thus signed does not bear out this statement. Some forms
resemble Awata. The place is about two miles distant from Akashi, near the Nakatani
Mountains.
1767. Cake-plate. D. 6 in. Flaring edge, slightly crenulated. Drab clay, light fawn
glaze. Inside, formal designs in brown. Asagiri i^nv^.). 1700
1768. Cake-dish. D. 6 in. Rim with four deep scallops,
indented. Drab clay, yellowish-white glaze. Inside, sprays
of flowers and leaves in brown. Asagiri (imp.). 1750
1769. Tea-bowl. D. 4J in. Coarse brownish clay, dark
gray glaze, lighter gray around rim. Asagiri (imp.). 1830
1770. Cake-dish, octagonal. D. 8 in. Moulded. Thick walls. Light fawn clay and
glaze. Panels of diapers and various designs coarsely impressed, with large areas of green
and brown glaze. In centre, deep blue glaze. Roughly made and in poor taste.
Asagiri (imp.). 1830

WAFUKEN (Case 16)
The first potter using the mark of Wafuken was named Hashimoto. He came
from the town of Akashi in 1740, and built an oven in Maiko, using a sandy clay,
and signing his pieces with the impressed mark Wafuken, and sometimes with the
additional mark Maiko. After two generations, a priest by the name of Maisen (see
Hoyen) carried on the pottery for a while, when the Hashimoto family
agaui assumed control of the work, and, since the resumption, four gen-
erations have succeeded. The present potter is Takada
Chiyomatsa
'VJ'JX. Boat-shaped dish, with partitions. L. 9 in.
Modeled by hand. Light brown clay, warm gray glaze
mottled with brown. Wafuken and Maiko (imp.). 1800
1772 . Chopstick-holder. L. si in. x8oo 1772 1771
Wafuken and Maiko (imp.).
HOYEN (Case 16)

Pottery signed Hoyeti was made by a Buddhist priest named Maisen. The work
bears evidences of his skill as a potter. He succeeded to the oven of Hashimoto (see
Wafuken) in 1790-18CX). His work while following the models of Maiko was far
superior to them. Mr. Matsuki, to whom I am indebted for much information on
Harima potters, has suggested an ingenious explanation in regard to the pseudonym
Hoyen used by Maisen in signing his work. The sobriquet for Buddhist priests is
Yencho H5-ho, referring to their appearance, Yencho meaning round head, and Ho-ho
square robe. By taking the first character of each word the name Hoyen is derived.
Maisen was a teacher of flower arrangement and of the tea-ceremony, and in these
professions developed refined tastes. His pottery was considered unique and was highly
admired.