Page 326 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

THE CATALOGUE
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SHOZO (Case 26)
Pottery bearing the mark of Shdzo, or Masazo, was made by Ujiya Saburobei, a
merchant and tea-lover of Kyoto, assisted by Kagamiya Shoshichi, a tea-lover of
Nagoya. According to Ninagawa an association of the first character of their respec-
tive names was used as a mark to sign their combined work. The character Sa may
be pronounced Zo, with Sho, from Shoshichi, as a prefix, hence Shozo ! The mark is
very rare. The two pieces in the collection resemble yellow Seto.
2943. Cake-dish, with high basal ring. D. 5I in. Gray-drab clay, light greenish-drab glaze,
finely crackled. Shozb (imp.). 1790 _^
2944. Dish. D. 5,^ in, Similar to last. Shozo (^m^^. 1790 (»J*j

^5"*^
MASA (Case 26)
In 1830 a workman from Yedo, by the name of Masa, went to Nagoya, and there
learned the art of making bowls. A bowl in the collection bears the impressed mark
Masa, and the incised mark Ohata Chiizayemon. Records show that the son of a
lantern-maker in Yedo went to Owari and learned the potter's art, and as a boy he
decorated small cups with designs in blue. The single bowl in the collection bear-
ing the mark Masa is believed to be his work. The character Masa may also be read
Zo, though the work is entirely unlike the pieces cata-
logued under the name of Sh5zo.
2945* Bowl. D. 5I in. Thick and heavy. Grayish-
drab clay, thick deep olive-brown glaze mottled with lighter
areas. Ohata Chiizayemon (inc.). Masa (imp.). 1830
KURO (Case 26)
Hirasawa Kuro, also known as Yoroen Kuro, was
an apprentice of Risoku. His work consisted of small
bowls, tea-jars, and incense-boxes, etc. The impressed
mark Matsu was used, and pieces bearing an incised
line in two curves, like the wings of a bird in flight,
are attributed to this potter. The work is also known
^^''^
as Seto Kuro.
2946. Tea-jar. H. 2 in. Light fawn clay, brown glaze mottled with darker brown, splash
of golden-brown overglaze. Line in two curves incised on bottom. 1810
2947* OiL-BOTTLE. D. \\ in. Light fawn clay, whitish-fawn glaze. Line in two
curves incised on bottom. 1810
2948. Square incense-box. D. i| in. Bull with boy playing flute modeled on
cover. Nearly white clay, light greenish-yellow glaze. Matsu {\m^.). 1810 ^y- - ^
2949. Incense-box. L. 2% in. Mythological turtle with Fukurokuju on AlA
back holding jewel, modeled. Light grayish clay and glaze with greenish
areas. Matsu (imp.). 1810
^948