Page 450 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

THE CATALOGUE
298
RAKURAKUYEN (Case 35 and Plate XXIV. 4072)
In the Yashiki of the Daimyo of Owari was a garden known as Rakurakuyen. An
oven was built in this garden by direction of the old prince of Owari in 1804, and
potters from Seto, Owari, were called to take charge of it. The essays were mostly in
true Seto style of that date, with some departures near the end of the worL The
signature was Rakurakuyen, impressed. Masaki of Nagoya was in charge for a while,
and pottery made by him bore the additional mark Masaki. The clay was at one time
brought from a quarry near Seto, and pieces made from this clay have the mark
Sobokai accompanying that of Rakurakuyen. The pottery was vigorous, tasteful, and
in rigid adherence to the tea-cult. The work ceased in 1830.
4072. Water-jar, with flaring crenulated rim and side indented. H. 7 in. Fine gray-drab
clay, thick blue glaze mottled with white around neck, running in long
streams on unglazed surface. Sobokai and Rakurakuyen (imp.). 1825
Type Ninagawa. Part VII., Fig. 20.

4073- Tea -BOWL. D. 4^ in. Irregular rim. Light
gray clay, white underglaze, light glassy-green overglaze.
Lobster incised. Entire surface with strong cloth-mark
impression, as if the bowl had been made in a bag.
Rakurakuyen and Masaki (imp.). 1825 4074 4072 4073
4074* Tea-bowl. D. 45 in. Dull reddish-brown underglaze, deepest seal-brown overglaze.
Rakurakuyen sei (imp.). 1825
4075- Dish, leaf-shaped, rim scalloped. L. 6| in. Light fawn clay, thick dark green
overglaze clouded. Rakurakuyen sei (imp.). 1825
4076. Shallow tea -bowl. D. 55 in. Fawn clay, white underglaze,
rich light brown overglaze running from rim. Inside and out flecked with
fawn, golden-brown, and blue. Rakurakuyen (imp.). 1825
4077. Tea-bowl. D. 4^ in. White Shino glaze and rude under-decora- 4077 4078
tion in warm gray. Rakurakuyen (imp.). 1825
4078. Tea-bowl. D. 4 in. Warm gray glaze and white Mishima decoration. Signed. 1825

4079. Tea-bowl. D. 5 in. White Shino glaze. Rakurakuyen (imp.). 1825
4080. Box, wheel design. D. 3I in. Moulded.
Bright green glaze. Rakurakuyen (imp.). 1825
4081. Dish, polygonal. D. 3J in. Moulded. Hard
white clay, indigo-blue glaze. Dragons and scrolls in
relief inside. Rakurakuyen (imp.). 1825
4082. Leaf-shaped dish. D. 5 § in. Various colored 4079 4080 4081 4083
glazes. Rakurakuyen sei (imp.). 1825
4083*. Comfit-bottle, square. W. 2% in. Softest white clay, thin light purple glaze, mot-
tled. Rakurakuyen sei (imp.). 1825