Page 301 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

PROVINCE OF OWARI
»9r
THE FAMILY OF KATO

It has been found impossible to clear up the relations of the various
potters who use the character Shun in their names, such as Shunzan,
Shuntan, Shun-u, Shuntai, Shunrin, and others. It is believed that they
are all related many of them were contemporaries, judging by the appear-
;
ance of their work. The family claims to come in a direct line from
Toshiro. It is said that Shunzan represents the ninth generation from
Kato Nihei. This potter is said to have erected an oven in Akatsu in
1 6 14, and claimed to be the twentieth generation from Toshiro. These
figures are absurd, unless they all married at puberty and had children
early, which is altogether improbable.

SHUNZAN (Case 23 and Plate XVIII. 2741)
Kato Shunzan was one of the most skilful potters of Seto. He adhered strictly to
the tastes of the chajin. His work was marked by vigor and originality. His pieces
are signed with a strongly impressed mark of Shunzan, and are very rare.
2738. Jar. H. '^\ in. Nearly white clay, white glaze brilliantly crackled. Clouds of
light blue and brown running. Shunzan (imp.). 1770
2739- Plate, leaf-shaped. D. 6J in. Hard light fawn clay, light brown glaze with splashes
of olive-green overglaze running into white and light blue. Shunzan (imp.). 1770

VJ&fi. Cup-rest. H. 3 in. Thick and heavy. Light brown clay, glistening light fawn
glaze with splashes of rich greenish-blue overglaze. Simple decoration
in deepest brown. Rough surface. Shunzan (imp.). '77°

Incense-stick-burner. D. Coarse
2741 • 3 J in. Heavy and thick.
brown clay, warm gray glaze with splashes of thick olive-brown over-
glaze. Cross-lines in light brown. Shunzan (imp.). 1770 274° 2741
2742. Shallow bowl. D. 4f in. Fawn clay, nearly white glaze with splashes of light
grayish-blue and white overglaze. Shunzan (imp.). 1770

SHUN-U (Case 23 and Plate XVIII. 2744)
A potter of Seto named Kato Buyemon made pottery in 1788 and after.
He ranked among the first six potters of Seto.
2743- Cup-rest (?), with fluted and crenulated edges. D. 4J in. Nearly white clay,
glaze mottled with seal-brown, scrolls in white nearly concealed. Inside, grayish-
blue glaze clouded. Shun-u (imp.). 1790
2744- Hand-warmer, form of bull. L. 9J in. Massive and heavy. Light
gray clay, deepest brown glaze, with golden -brown areas, splashes of white
and light bluish glaze running. Details in strongly incised lines.
Shun-u (imp.). 1790 2743