Page 239 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

PROVINCE OF^mmio^^^ 157

a large number of specimens the distinctive characters are difficult to sepa-
rate. The larger number of objects are without marks. This is especially
true of the older work, and here there is much uncertainty. The following
kinds may be defined. A gray Izumo, possessing the characters ascribed
to Gombei's work, may be properly known as Gombei. Gombei and his
immediate successors were succeeded by Zenshiro, who left his ma.rk"Zen"
upon his work, and the memory of this skilful potter and his successors should
be perpetuated under the name of Zenshiro. A bright yellow glaze, varying
with reddish-brown, or with both combined, may be known as Fujina. Pot-
tery, departing from the above forms, yet bearing the evidence of skill and
age, and usually identified by the Japanese as Rakuzan, may be classified
provisionally under this name.

GOMBEI (Case 17)
In the latter part of the seventeenth century the governor of Matsuye invited a
potter from Hagi, Nagato, to establish an oven at Matsuye. This potter was Gombei
Kurisaki, pupil of the famous Korean potter Korizayemon. Gombei brought with him
clay and glazing material from Hagi. Pieces attributed to Gombei closely resembling
those of Hagi are rough with gray glaze, sometimes showing granules cracking through
the glaze. Gombei worked for eighteen years, and was succeeded by Hanroku Kada,
and after him by his son. The oven closed in 1695, and was again opened in 1 716 by
Juyemon Nagaoka, who began the work of making tea-utensils after Korean models.
Many of the pieces attributed to Gombei may have been made by his immediate
successors, or by Nagaoka.

1842. Tea-bowl. D. 5 in. Rim slightly flaring. Hard drab clay, gray glaze with pinkish
areas, large white granules breaking through glaze. 1680
1843. Jar. H. 6J in. Light gray clay and glaze, rough surface. 1680
1844. Bowl. D. 4I in. Lathe-marks vertical. Brown clay, greenish-gray glaze, scrolls
in black. 1750

1845. Bowl. D. sJ in. Warm gray clay and glaze. Roughly made. 1750
1840. Jar. H. 4i in. Gray-drab clay, smooth lustrous dark gray glaze. *77o
1847- Tea-bowl. D. 4J in. Roughly made. Dark drab clay, warm gray glaze. Under-
decoration, rough designs of wheels, etc., in dark brown. 1770

1848. Hanging flower-holder. H. 5! in. Elaborately modeled and carved in basket
form. Drab clay with brownish areas, warm gray glaze. 1780
1849. Tea-bowl, irregular contour. D. 5^^^ in. Light brown clay, yellowish-brown glaze.
Touch of white slip outside, brush of white inside. 1780
A remarkable form.