Page 468 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

312 THE CATALOGUE
pieces bearing this mark will be considered under that name. True Soma, with the
exception of the recent Tashiro's work, and one piece in which the mark is incised,
bears no signature. The early pieces show more vigorous drawing, and are charac-
terized by a certain refinement of form and style. The old name for Soma pottery
was Otomi, meaning " honorable monopoly."
4^93- Plate. D. 6| in. Rim with six scallops. Coarse dark gray-drab clay, gray-drab
glaze coarsely crackled. Inside, three horses in olive-brown. 1650
4194. Bowl, sides sliced in three places and lapped over, with knobs. D. 4| in. Light
fawn clay, thin yellowish-white glaze spotted with brown. Inside and out, horse in brown.
Type Ninagawa. Part III., Fig. 31. 1680
4^95- Bowl. D. 4 in. Coarse Japanese yellow clay and glaze. Horse in brown. 1750
419^- Plate. D. in. Rim with five scallops. Perforated design of cherry petals.
7 J
Light fawn clay, grayish-fawn underglaze, fawn overglaze. Inside, five horses in brown, 1780
Type Ninagawa.
Part III., Fig. 32.
,
4197. Plate, somewhat similar to last. 1780
419^- Tea-bowl. D. 4f in. Light fawn clay, coarse light fawn glaze, roughened below.
Encircling band of large circles overlapping, in blue enamel. Strong left-hand spiral. 1780
4199. Tea-cup. 1780
4200. Bowl, symmetrically turned. D. 4J in. Fine hard gray-drab clay, gray glaze with
minute brown spots. 1780
Considered by Ninagawa the earliest Soma, with the date of 1630.
4201. Bowl. D. 5J in. Gray-drab clay, thin light gray under and overglaze. Horses,
inside and out, in brown. 1800
4202. Cake-plate. D. 6f in. Fawn clay, olive-gray glaze. One third of vessel, inside
and out, thick white glaze, upon which, inside, is rough sketch of flowers in dark brown. 1800
Very rare type.
4203- Square tray. W. ii in. Grayish-yellow clay and glaze. Horses in brown. 1840
4204. Haisen. D. 5I in. Coarse gray-drab clay, thin greenish-gray glaze, surface rough-
ened. Horses in brown. 1850

TASHIRO (Case 36)
The twelfth generation of Seijiyemon was at work in Nakamura thirty years ago.
In 1867 he went to Kyoto, and there presented Soma pottery made by him to the
imperial household. In recognition of his loyalty and talent he was given the honorary
title of Hokio, and thenceforward often signed his work Tashiro and Hokio. For a
short time his work was known as Goyo Toku (royal permission), and was not put
upon the market for sale. His reputation was greatly enhanced by this attitude.
4205> Oblong cake-dish. L. 7 in. Coarse light gray clay, transparent underglaze, thick
glassy-green overglaze coarsely crackled. Horses in brown inside and out. 1850
4206. Haisen. D. 5 in. Gray-drab clay, light gray glaze spotted with brown. Inside,
thick glassy-green overglaze running over rim, coarsely crackled. Outside, three horses in
brown. 1850