Page 251 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

PROVINCE OF CHIKUZEN 165
potters carried back with them, either the veritable objects, or the sugges-
tions of the kinds of pottery and forms of utensils most desirable in the tea-
ceremony. Thus it was that the early productions of Takatori took so high
a rank. Records show that the descendants of these potters moved from
place to place.
There are many forms of pottery, with many marks, recognized as Taka-
tori ; but little information, however, is at hand to separate the material into
distinct ovens and makers. Many of the marks are evidently for the same
purpose as those of Bizen, namely, single characters or conventional marks
of individual potters who baked in some communal oven.
Typical Takatori is a most characteristic pottery. Its fine clay, rich
brown glaze, and delicious overglaze readily distinguish it from other kinds
of pottery. The tea-jars are particularly refined and delicate, though these
objects have been successfully paralleled in other provinces, notably in Zeze,
Omi, and in Agano, Buzen. In late years there have been produced large
numbers of pieces, among which may be found mythological figures made

for the export trade. Some clever modeling is seen at times, but their
recent issue may be recognized at a glance.

TAKATORI (Case 18 and Plate XV. 1967, 1971, 1988, 1989, 2001)
1947. Plate. D. 6 in. Rim slightly crenulated on one side. Light brown clay, thick
ochre glaze, with splash of brown glaze on one side. Impression of shells on base. 1640
1948. Flaring bowl. D. sf in. Thickened rim. Light-brown clay, thick gray glaze,
splashes of thick white overglaze. Decoration of bag, boat, and waves in brown, inside.
Pine needles outside. 1680
1949*. Jar. H. 7f in. Vertical sides, beveled below and at shoulder. Dark brown clay,
thick olive-brown glaze, splashes of fawn overglaze, flecked with blue. 1700
1950. Jar. H. 6i in. Coarse buff clay, rich thick dark lustrous ochre glaze, with thick
white overglaze running from shoulder in delicate streams. 1750

1951. Water-jar. H. 5I in. Drab clay, rich mottled brown glaze, with streaks of golden-
brown glaze intermixed, thick light ochre overglaze running from rim. 1770
Type Ninagawa. Part III., Fig. 21.

1952. Water-jar. H. 5^ in. Reddish-brown clay, lustrous dark brown glaze, with green-
ish-yellow overglaze streaked with light greenish-blue and flecked with yellow. 1780
^953- Tea-bowl. D. sJ in. Fawn clay, rich brown glaze clouded with fawn and brownish-
blue. 1780
1954. Tea-bowl. D. 5 in. Dull light drab clay, thick alternate splashes of ochre, light
drab and olive-brown glaze flecked with blue. Inside, large splashes of nearly black and
cream-white glaze coarsely crackled. 17^0