Page 467 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

PROVINCE OF IWAKI ju
Despite the odd appearance of these three brocade-decorated specimens
among Iwaki pottery, they are now placed here until evidence to the con-
trary is offered. I may add that the mark must be extremely rare, as I
have never seen the signature except on these three specimens here cata-
logued ; furthermore, no such mark is recorded as used by Ninsei or by any
Kyoto potter, though Ninsei used the mark Sei in a square panel on some
of his work.

SEIJIYEMON (Case 36 and Plate XXV. 4191)
It is difficult to determine whether the three specimens herein catalogued are the
work of the first or second Seijiyemon.
4Io9- Bowl. D. 4} in. Dark fawn clay, light fawn glaze. Under-decoration of house
and trees in grayish-blue. New Year's decoration of pine and bamboo in blue,
green, and pale purple enamels and red and gold. Left-hand spiral on base.
Sei, in circle within square (imp.). 1648
4190. GouRD-SHAPED WINE-BOTTLE. H. 6f in. Thick and heavy. Fine gray- '*'^
drab clay, light grayish-fawn glaze strongly crackled. Over-decoration of pinks and fence in
dull blue and green enamels and red and gold. Around shoulder leaf design in green and
blue enamel. On neck, red fret. Sei, in circle within square (imp.). 1648
4191. Jar. H. 6| in. Coarse dark fawn clay, light fawn glaze finely crackled, much
stained. Chrysanthemums and pinks in blue and green enamels with red and gold. Around
neck, diaper in blue enamel with red and gold. Sei, in circle within square (imp.), 1648

KANAYA (Case 36)
The only piece signed by this potter is accompanied by an inscription which states
that he was the grandson of the third generation, and presumably in the line of
Seijiyemon. The year period and year are also given, which indicates
the date of 1746; and an inscription which reads Daisanyo Temple.
It is the oldest piece in the collection signed Soma.
4192. Circular tablet, perforated for hanging. D. 9^ in. Coarse
hard gray-drab clay, fawn glaze. Pine tree and monkeys moulded in high
relief and applied, glazed dark brown and green. Soma Nakamura (inc.).
Also the inscriptions, Enkio san Himye tora Ten. Roku gatsu ju.-go-niehi.
Koka sandai no mago, Kanaya tsukuru. »746

]^f^
SOMA (Case 36 and Plate XXV. 4193, 4194)
The first Soma with horse decoration was made by the second I
generation of Seijiyemon in 1650. The bowl figured by Ninagawa «. • •
was probably made by the third generation of this family, as a typical
Soma in the collection, with drawing of horse, seems much nearer in
clay and age to the work of Seijiyemon above described. True Soma
was made in Nakamura by successive generations of the founder. '*'^^
Within recent years the name Tashiro has been impressed on Soma pottery, and