Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-02-11
CLOISoNNE WARE.
visit to the Shop OF Famous Japan.
csc Manufactures.

]
visit % the Shop Of . Famous Japan.
csc Manufactures.
There are few persons probably who
are not familiar with the bright blue
vases and plates decorated with birds
and blossoms which enliven the win
dows OF dealers in Oriental goods and
artistic tea merchants. The number
possibly is much greater of persons
who are unaware, or only imperfectly
aware, OF the processes of which cloi.
some enamels are the results, and
which have for many generations. since
the introduction of the art from China,
formed one of the principal artistic in
dustries of Japan. Uninventive them
selves, the Japanese possess in q singu-
lar degree the faculty of pcrfecting the
arts which they have acquired from
other nations. UHwearying assiduity,
combined with extreme delicacy of
touch. render them unrivaled as work
men IN the management and elabora-
ton of detail. Their paintings on
porcelain, executed with microscopic
mlnuteness and accuracy, and the fine
intricacy of their inlaid and OVERLAND
metal work, are sufficient proofs of
their power in this line. But if any
doubt still existed it would be speedily
dissipated by a visit to a workshop
where cloisonne is being made, and an
inspection of the processes involved in
its manufacture. The greatest living
maker of cloisonne in Japan. perhaps
in the world also, is one Namikawa,
who resides in Kioto, the old capital of
the MikadOs. A noblcman by birth,
he suffered in the trOublOus times which
| accompanied the overthrow of the sho-
gun, and. like many of his compeers,
had recourse to trade as means of
livelihood, without in any way losing
| caste. He has established a reputation
as the first clOis0Rne manufacturer of
the day, and his wares fetch from the
| dealers whatever price he chooses to
set upon them. His courtesy to visitors
is extreme, and he seems far more anx-
lous to show them over his establish
ment than to sell them his goods.
In clean, airy apartment, where
the light comes in softly through the
paper walls, the workers, men and
women, can be seen at their tasks. On
the surface OF the object, generally of
copper, which is to be enameled, the
design is worked out with tiny metal
fillets, like fattened wires, of VARYING
lengths and shapes. These are fas-
tened on with strong glue, and form
the cloiso,as, or partitions, which are
to separate the differently colored en-
amels. This part of the work seems of
almost maddening nicely, and must
require immense calmneSs of nerves
and steadiness of hand. The design
having been THUS fixed the enamels are
introduced between the clOisons, in the
form of dry paste, by means of dimin-
ntive chopsticks. The whole is then
baked, after which the various little
cracks and crevices which appear in the
fused enamel are filled with fresh
paste, and the article again placed in the
oven. In the superior work this pro-
cess is repeated again and again, I'M
til the surface is uniform and without
flaw, though as yet rough and luster-
less. The polishing is done with a
stone, and is a long and tedious opera
ton, occupying several months in the
case of articles of any size. The effect
of the process is to grind down the in
CAPABILITIES of the enameled surface, I'M
til the design is left clear and indelible,
outlined by the cloisons, and with
fine vitreous luster
1t is obvious that wares which re-
quire so much time and skill in their
manufacture should command high
price; and very high accordingly are
the prices for good work. Inferior
cloisonne can be bought cheap enough,
but its purchase is not to be recon-
mended; for, besides flaws in the work
manship, which are apparent at once,
the coloring of the enamel is apt to
fade. OF course, in order to distinguish
good work from bad it is necessary, us
in everything else. to be something of
connoisseur; and especially difficult
it is to tell coloring which will be dur
able from that which will prove tran
sient. With regard to the blue color |
which so aften forms the back ground |
of clOisonne wares, it is important that |
this shohld be of the right shade, as
there are blues of many kinds besides |
the pure turquoise tint that is to be
sought after. The amount of decora-
ton, of course, is one of the considera-
tons to be taken into account in de-
termining the value of the article: but |
this must not be too exclusively relied |
upon, as it not unfrequeSkly happens
that a great deal of labor y expanded
upon ornamentation which is intended |
to conceal other defects, and thus the |
best work is often the simplest. A
background introduced and made a
specially of by Namikawa is composed
of transparent blood-colored enamel,
dotted with flakes of an opaque white
color. Another maker living at YOko-
homa inserts among his enamels small
pieces of gold-stone; and other artists
have different specialties of similar
kind. Antique clois0nne is, as 4 rule,
much discoiored, and is for decorative
purposes, of little value; time will show
the works Of the famous mod
ern makers are to prove more durable.
Pail Mall Gazette.
A THiBETAN STUDENT.