Page 320 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

2o8 THE CATALOGUE
2924. Food-bowl. D. 8 in. Light gray clay, glistening light bluish-gray glaze. Under-
decoration of flowers and leaves in light olive-brown and blue. This bowl,
though departing from the ordinary type, was identified by a Japanese authority
as Inuyama. Baitei kore wo tsukuru (written).

HANSHICHI (Case 26)
In 1585 a famous lover of the tea-ceremony ad-
judged certain potters of Owari as deserving first
rank Among these potters was Hanshichi. An
incense-burner, in the collection, with thick celadon
glaze, is accredited to this potter. It is the only one
I have ever seen. 3935 2924

2925. Incense-BURNER. D. \\ in. Thick and heavy. Hard gray-drab clay, light green
celadon glaze. Design of leaves, scrolls, etc., perforated. Flowers, dull brown glaze,
deeply carved. iJ/awj/i/c/M (incised). 1585
Exceedingly rare.

In the latter part of the sixteenth century, a number of amateur potters were
at work in a dilettante way making tea-utensils. Their reputation far exceeded the
merit of their rude essays. They were, doubtless, artistic and cultivated men who
loved flowers and pictures, and were among those who laid the foundation for the sim-
plicity and even austerity of the pottery used in the tea-ceremony. Among these were
Moyemon, Shimbei, Shinyemon, Motozo, Johachi, Ichiyemon, Shimpaku, and Soyemon.
The following pieces are accredited to these amateur potters, with their peculiar
distinguishing marks.
MOYEMON (Case 26)

2926. Tea-jar. H. 4^ in. Dark drab clay, transparent underglaze, thick greenish-fawn
overglaze. Rude lines cut on side. The signature, cross in-
cised on bottom. 1580
Type Ninagawa. Part IV., Fig. 4.
2927. 2928. Tea-jars, by the same potter.

SHIMBEI (Case 26)
2926 2929
2929. Tea-jar. H. 4f in. Roughly made. Dark gray clay,
surface nearly black ; dull greenish-black underglaze mottled with light fawn ; thick olive-
brown overglaze. The signature, long and short lines scratched on bottom. 1630
2930. Tea-jar, similar to last.

SHINYEMON (Case 26)
293^* Tea-jar. H. 4J in. Roughly made and cut on side. Fawn clay,
clouded brown glaze with splashes of greenish-white glaze. Rude decora-
tion in brown. The signature, T-mark on bottom incised. 1550 2931