Page 256 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

170 THE CATALOGUE
SOSHICHI (Case 18)
In the village of Hakata a number of potters were at work in the early years of
this century. Among the most noted was one Masaki Yukihiro, with the pseudonym
Soshichi. His work consisted of hand-warmers, braziers, incense-boxes, etc., and the
few specimens of his work in the collection show great skill and originality.
2060. Hand-warmer, in form of Daruma. H. 9I in. Light fawn clay, garment rough-
ened, surface colored red. Face unglazed. SoshUhi, Masaki Yukihiro and Bunsei Jissai.
Inu ju-icAi-gatsu (ym^.). 1827
2001. Water-boiler, in form of segments of char-
coal. H. 8J in. Fine dead black clay. Roughened
surfaces. Cut portions smooth. Soshichi (imp.). 1827
Gift of W, S. Bigelow.
2062. Incense-box (bird). L. 3 in. Fine soft light 2060 2061
fawn clay. Head, breast, and tail dark reddish-brown
lacquer. Eyes black, with red border. Inside, thick honey glaze. Soshichi (imp.). 1827
2063. Incense-box (Hotei). D. 2J in. Light reddish-fawn clay, unglazed. In-
side, greenish glaze, pitted. Soshichi (iva^.). 1827
SHUNZAN (Case 18)

A potter of Ky5to, named Shunzan, made pottery in the village of Su-o.
pieces were designed for the tea-ceremony and are extremely rare.
2064* Tea-bowl. D. 4^ in. Indented below, deep encircling lines on side. ' *-*-**
Thick and heavy. Grayish clay, light brown underglaze, rich dark brown over-
glaze exposing underglaze in portions. Shun (imp.). 1780

PROVINCE OF SANUKI

Sanuki pottery seems to be entirely unfamiliar to the Japanese col-
lector. The name of the province has rarely appeared in Japanese works
on pottery, and never in books on the subject published abroad. Even
Ninagawa has no reference to it in his classical work, though, had he lived
to publish another part, a few plates for which had been prepared, Sanuki
would certainly have been included, as among his manuscript notes he had
references to a number of Sanuki potters. I have seen in collections Sanuki
pottery identified by Japanese experts as Izumi; Awaji; Kyoto; Suruga;
and Ohi, Kaga. The shallow green glazed plates made on moulds have
been invariably identified either as Awaji or Izumi. As a number of
potters have at various times established ovens in the province, I have
made special efiforts to clear up the sequence of these potters and their
relations to one another, and to identify their work.