Page 363 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

PROVINCE OF YAMASHIRO 235

KICHIBEl'(Case 31 and Plate XXI. 3305)
The collection contains two specimens signed Kichibei. The accounts are very
conflicting regarding the family. It is stated by Ninagawa that the seventh genera-
tion of Kichibei ended in 1857. That a Kichibei was at work in 1705 is attested by
Bampo Zenshd. It is also recorded that a letter was written by the Tokugawa to
Kichibei in 1752, ordering him to make various objects. The mark is extremely rare.

3304- Beaker. D. 45 in. Lower portion cut polygonally. Fine light fawn clay, thick
white glaze. Under-decoration of vertical lines and bands outside, and band of dots
and characters inside in blue. Kichibei (imp.). 1760
3305- Similar to last. D. 3 in.
_ 3304
ICHIYU (Case 31)
A pottery showing the marks of a skilful workman, and one who strictly followed
Kyoto models, is seen in the form of bowls. Ninagawa in manuscript notes has
simply recorded the mark IchiyU, the date 1845, and the place Kyoto.
330^' Bowl. D. 4I in. Light fawn clay, smooth light gray glaze. Over-decoration of
Kirimon in blue, green, black, and light red. IchiyU, in hexagon (imp.). 1845
y^-..,^^
3307- Bowl. D. 4J in. Light gray clay, mottled with light fawn, dull I rt> J '^
whitish glaze. Basal ring notched. IchiyU (imp.). 1845 ^^^
3306 3307
YEISEN (Case 28)
Okuda Yeisen was not a professional potter, but through his great love for the art,
acquired a skill of throwing and decorating in a rude sort of way. Yeisen's work was
in imitation of foreign models. He made among other pieces heavy white stone fire-
vessels with rude overglaze decoration in red and green. Yeisen had no stamp, but
signed his name in red or green on the bottom of the piece. This potter was a fellow-
student with the first Rokubei under Yebeiya Seibei. Yeisen was the teacher of
Mokubei, Dohachi, Shuhei, Kamesuke, and Kasuke. The work dates from the latter
half of the last century.
3308. FiRE-VESSEL. D. 4j in. Very thick and heavy. Hard white clay and
glaze, coarsely crackled. Over - decoration of flowers, mythological creatures,
diaper, etc., in green enamels with red, brown, and black, roughly drawn. 1770
Yeisen (written in red).
3309- FiRE-VESSEL. D. 4i in. Heavy and thick. Hard light clay, greenish-
white glaze without crackle. Figures in green, light blue, and yellow enamel,
shaded with brown. Unsigned. 1770 -vvA

KYOTA (Case 30)
Okada Kyuta was a contemporary of Mokubei, and a skilful potter. His little
brown, unglazed tea-pots were highly esteemed by the tea-lovers. Owing to their
fragile character but few specimens of his work have survived. The mark Kytita is
impressed on the lower side of the handle.