Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-10-06
Japaaese PorceIain Marks.


The oldest porcelain of Japan is
that known as Hizen ware, into which
province the manufacture was intro.
duced from Chinain 1913, and exam
Piles of this variety are frequently
marked with sprays or flowers OF the
peony, ("boton, the chrysantemum,
("kiku,") the Glove, (''choji," one of
the seven treasures, = the hyaeinth,
("suisen, or the wild cherry,
("sakura.") In addition, counterfeit
imitationa Of Chinese marks were and
still are used, especially the eharac
ters representing the Ming dynasty
"a. D. 1868 1643) and the existing
Using dynasty. Where the name Of
the maker is recorded, the porcelain is
almost certainly Of the last fifty years
manufacture AS a rule, the older
and better the work, the less fuss the
craftsman made about it; content with
the joy of artistic creation, he was
little anxious to band down his name
to posterity. The celebrated Satsuma
faience, Mr.. Satow tells US, was first
made y Koreans, brought over by
the feudal lord Of that province to-
ward the ,lose Of tie sixteenth cen
tury. The ware was manufactured
for the use Of the Prince himself, and
for presents to the Shotgun and great
mobiles; hence the extreme perfection
to which the art, thus iostered, at
tanned. The descendants of theseKorean
potters still form the population of the
village of Tsuboya, some twelve miles
from Kagoshima. Up to q few years
ago they wore their hair bound In a
knot at the top of the head, according
to the Korean fashion, aud on certain
solemn occasions donned the national
costume. They retain a knowledge of
the Korean language, and consider
themselves superior to the nltive
Japanese, and until lately were
Buddhists, but now are under the
protection Of an official Shinto god.
Marks are not common on Satsuma
faience the most usual is the badge or
crest Of the daimio, a cross within a
circle. Kaga pottery is distinguished
by marks which read "Kutani," or
Nine Valleys" the name OF the
district in Kaga where the ware was
6rst made. The gilt example, of Kaga
ire of comparatively recent date, and
those marked with the names OF the
makers are quite modern The Kiyo.
to manufacture dates back to the
middle of the Sixteenth century. The
earliest specimens have the simple
mark '::raku, enjoyment" which was
used by eleven generations OF the de-
sceudants of Ohojiro, the founder Of
the art at Kiyoto, aud the son Of
a Koran who settled there in
A. d. 1850. Other very usual
marks are "Yeiraku," Everlasting
enjoyment" the family first employ
ing which is still represented; and
"Kinkozan," Mount Kiuko," which,
with "TaDzan," Red HILL" distin-
guish what is known as "Awata ware.
On faienOe the marks we're generally
impressed on porcelain painted, The
crown stoneware Of Dwarf is the oldest
known pottery of Japan, exclusive Of
the rude ware found in the she'll
mounds. Examples marked with a
she'll Tsp. OF Venus) are stated to date
back to the middle Of fourteenth cen
tury, The best knoYn variety of
0wari porcelain is the modern "somet.
suke," or "colored" ware, delicately
painted in blue under the glaze. Setois
the principal seat Of its manufacture
and the characters Of the name are
commonly found upon specimens, TO.
gether with the name OF the maker,
and perhaps a descriptive legend or
Chinese phrase. Ise ware may be
knoyp BY the characters "Ban-ko,p =
meaning "io-eger,T usually impressed
upon it, and frequently displays marks
signify ng good luck" prosperity
'Weal b. "long life" etc A com
mon legend Is one which may be trans
lated, May you enjoy the long life oil
the pine tree and the old age Of the
IStOTk,"