Page 541 - Catalogue of the Edward Morse collection of Japanese pottery MFA BOSTON

FINAL NOTES
.

Collectors of Japanese pottery may in many cases identify their pieces by first
having the signatures translated ; and if this collection contains a similar example, a
reference to the index of marks at the end of the volume will give the desired infor-
mation.
The collection will certainly provide a mine for the student of Japanese pottery.
Some objects of doubtful attribution or of unknown provenance are still to be identi-
fied ; the unsigned Awata pieces especially present material for much study in ascrib-
ing them correctly to their respective potters. This can be done only by a careful
comparison of clay, glaze, decoration, etc., with signed pieces. The proper assignment
of Kenzans to their respective families, and the detection of fraudulent Kenzans, will
offer another field for study.
This catalogue is the result of continuous labor for twenty years. No pains have
been spared to secure accuracy, yet with the last page I can only express the regret
that I cannot rewrite the entire work. Errors in attribution, in the interpretation of
signatures, and in the estimates of age must inevitably exist, and the frankest criticism
is solicited. In addition, I would ask for objects bearing marks, or representing the
essays of potters or provinces, or for information of any kind which will add new mate-
rial to the collection, as in a few years a supplement will be prepared to illustrate
acquisitions of this nature as well as to rectify errors which may be contained in the
present catalogue.