Page 355 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

PROVINCE OF YAMASHIRO 231

3231. Shallow covered vessel. D. 6f in. Japanese yellow clay and glaze. No players
in various colored enamels, touched with gold. Bizan (imp.). 1850 ».•
3232—3234- Wine-bottles, wine-cups and rest, etc., all signed. 1850 ^ I

3231 3233
TANZAN (Case 27 and Plate XX. 3236)

Kishimoto, a native of Tango, learned the potter's art in Settsu and afterwards
studied in Tamba. In 1846 he came to Awata district in Kyoto and made pottery
after Kiyomizu models. In 1849 he began the making of typical Awata pottery,
and in 1869 assumed the name of Tanzan. In 1872 he secured a decorator of some
skill and entered into competition with other Awata potters in making pieces with
showy decoration for the foreign market. (The work Toki Shoshi mentions two
generations : the first, Tanzan Seikai, and the second, Tanzan Rokuzo.) The early
pieces bearing the mark Tanzan are the best, and are very rare.
3236. Wine-bottle. H. 6 in. Body polygonal, neck square. Brown clay, white glaze
pitted. Flowers in dark blue. Tanzati (written). 1870
3237* Cup. T). 2% in. Dark drab clay and glaze, splash of
yellowish-white overglaze with maple leaves in red. 1870
Tanzan (written).
This piece has been made from a flat piece of clay
folded and pinched together. Basal ring applied.
3238. Leaf-shaped dish. L. 6\ in. Light gray-drab ,
^
clay, with thin opaque brown glaze. Under side, scrolls
in white slip and blue enamel. Inside, chrysanthemums and scrolls in green, yellow, and
light purple enamels, outlined in white slip. Tanzan (imp.). 1870

RAKUTOZAN (Case 27)
Rakut5zan is a poetic name for the eastern part of Kyoto. Higashiyama is the
Japanese equivalent. Whether this name is the pseudonym of some potter, or
whether various potters signed their work with this poetic name has not been ascer-
tained. Certainly the pieces vary greatly in their quality and character. Until further
information is obtained, pieces bearing this mark will be considered under the above
title. The pottery has no relation to the piece already catalogued under Rakuto.
3239* Sake-pot. D. s| in. Gray-drab clay, dead dark purplish-brown surface. Garden,
mounds, and lantern in white slip, glazed with blue, green, and ochre. Rakutozan (imp.).
180a
3240. Wine-bottle. H. 6J in. Light gray-fawn clay, lustrous yellow-
ish-white glaze. Landscape and tree in light blue. Rakutozan (imp.).
1800 fJS^
I
3241. Flower-vase, elephant handles. H. 8f in. Fawn clay, dull
dark surface. Scrolls, clouds, dragon, etc., in dark blue, green and straw
enamel and white. Rakutozan (imp.). 1800 3240 3241