Page 400 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

26o . THE CATALOGUE
a gold seal or stamp bearing the character Raku, which signifies happiness. Pottery
known as Raku has peculiarities which separate it quite distinctly from other kinds
of pottery. In general terms it may be described as having a light gray or fawn-
colored clay, loose and sometimes coarse in texture. The glaze is thick and often
lustrous, the usual colors being black or red, the former color predominating. The
pieces are usually in the form of bowls with thick walls, low basal ring, and three
spur-marks. These are modeled by hand, and shaved or cut into shape. The work
is usually signed with the character Raku within a circle, in relief. The bowls are
highly esteemed by the Japanese for use in tea-drinking, for the reason that being
made of loose material with thick walls the substance offers an excellent non-con-
ductor, and the bowl may be held in the two hands (as in the act of drinking pow-
dered tea) without discomfort. The use of Raku pottery for bowls led to the making
of other utensils of the same kind of pottery for the tea-ceremony, and of these the
most common are in the form of incense-boxes. Other colored glazes are used, such
as green or even yellow. Simple decoration in glazes of contrasting colors is seen.
Kyoto must be regarded as the home of typical Raku pottery, though Kyoto potters
have spread the art far and wide in Japan, notably in the provinces of Sanuki, Kaga,
Musashi, Settsu, Su5, Suruga, Iwami, Shinano, and more rarely in Ise and Higo. All
accounts agree in stating that the father of Chojiro was a Korean by the name of
Ameya, who came to Japan in 1521. Becoming naturalized he adopted the name
Sasaki and married a Japanese woman. His work consisted of hand-made pottery.
The wife was left a widow with one child, and continued the work of her husband.
Some authorities credit her with the discovery of the peculiar Raku glaze. The pro-
duct of Araeya's kiln, and that of his wife, is said to be impossible to obtain. Choya,
the son of Ameya, profiting by his mother's instruction, soon attracted the attention
of Rikiu, the famous tea-master, who gave him the name Chojiro. He is reckoned as
the first generation of the Raku family. He died in 1592. The collection has no
example of his work.

SECOND GENERATION, JOKI
Joki, son of Chojiro, attained such skill in his work that Hideyoshi, continuing his
patronage, finally conferred on him a gold seal, upon which was cut the character
Raku. Joki was greatly assisted by his younger brother, Somi. Joki
finally abandoned the aid extended to him by Hideyoshi, and began
to work on his own account. He built an oven at Abura-no Kogi in
Kyoto, and the successive generations of the family have continued the
oven on the same site. He died in 1636.
3663. Tea-bowl. D. 4J in. Rich thick black Raku glaze, iridescent. 3663
On side, two jewels in white. Raku (imp.), mark of Joki. 1630
THIRD GENERATION, DONIU
Doniu is said to have been a younger brother of Joki. Doniu was commonly called
Kichibei, and afterwards received the name of Kichizayemon. He died in 1657. Nina-
gawa believed that Doniu was the brother Somi referred to above. He used the
character Raku reversed.