Page 240 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

»5« THE CATALOGUE

ZENSHIRO (Case 17 and Plate XV. 1850, 1853)
Pieces of fair age and quality, having the mark Zen, in hexagon, or Unzen in
double gourd, were made by Tsuchiya Zenshiro Yoshikata, whose pseudonym was
Hoho. He was called to Fujina in the middle of the last century. His work not
only excelled that of his predecessors, but has never been equaled in the province.
The low dish figured by Ninagawa, and believed to be two hundred years old, is prob-
ably the work of Zenshiro in Fujina. Zenshiro's work consisted of utensils for the
tea-ceremony. A second generation succeeded under the same name. The third and
fourth generations were known as Zenroku ; the present generation is Zentaro.

1850. Oblong cake-dish, sides deeply scalloped L. sJ in. Fine light gray clay, thick
white glaze. Scrolls, flowers, etc., in indigo blue. 1750
Type Ninagawa. Part III., Fig. 29.
l85I- FiRE-BOWL, square, with flattened corners. D. 4 in. Light fawn clay, transparent
underglaze, white overglaze, with decoration of birds, flowers, scrolls, etc., in black and blue.
Unzen (imp.). 1750
These two objects in white and blue are exceedingly rare forms.
1852. Tea-bowl. D. 4^ in. Dull brick-red clay, warm gray glaze. Over-
decoration of prawn and plant in red, green, and gold. High basal ring with 1851 1852
deep notch. Unzen (imp.). 1750
1853. Square dish, supports in form of pine cones. W. 9 in Thick and heavy. Fawn-
colored clay, thick straw-colored glaze with large splashes
of dark green and light brown overglaze. Decoration of
stripes and irregular figures in olive-green. Cloth-mark
impression on bottom. Zen (imp.). 1750
1854. Bottle. H. 5 in. Thick and heavy. Fawn clay,
thick light gray glaze, large splash of whitish-gray glaze with olive-brown
glaze running. Zen (written). 1750 1854
1855. Flower-vase, square. H. 13J in. Thick and heavy. Swelling sides. Coarse deep
red clay, thick purplish-black glaze. Fret about rim and bamboo on sides in
white slip glazed bright green. Zen (imp.).
1856. Boat -SHAPED dish, supported on three flattened loops.
L. 6| in. Drab clay, yellow glaze with splash of greenish overglaze at
one end. Rude decoration in brown. Cloth-mark impression inside
and out. Unzen (imp.). i860
The last two specimens are probably the work of Zentaro.

RAKUZAN (Case 17 and Plate XV. 1864)
The oven at Matsuye, which Gombei first established, vras near a tea-house by the
name of Rakuzan, known locally as Giozan. Pieces of great refinement and beauty,
showing evidences of age, and differing from the work of Zenshiro, are recognized
by the Japanese as Rakuzan. Specimens bearing this mark may be regarded as
Rakuzan. Beyond this the distinctions seem artificial, and it is not improbable that