The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-01-22

= ~ y ~ shsp = va~s.s Sapa.,
- moaueacturor.
Ihs1o aro few persons probably who
arc not familiar with the bright blue
vases and plates decorated with birds
and blossoms which enliven the win
dows d dealers IN Oriental goods and
artistic ten merchants. The number
possibly u much greater o. persons
who arc unaware. Or only impcrfectly
aware. Of the processes Of which cioi-
sonse 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 : singu-
lar degree the faculty Of pcrfecting the
arts which they have acquired from
other nations. Unwcarying as,idnity.
combined with extreme delicacy ~
touch. render them unrivaled ~ work
men IN the management and elabora-
ton Of detail. Their paintings on
porcelain, executed with 4 microScopic
minuteness and accuracy. and the fine
intricacy Of their inlaid and oyerlaid
metal work. are sufficient proofs Of
their power in this line. But n any
doubt still existed 1t would be speedily
dissipated by visit to q Workshop
where clossonne Ii being made. and an
inspection 81 the processes involved IN
it, manufacture The greatest living
maker of cioisohne in japan. perhaps
IN the world also. is one Namikawa.
who resides in Kioto, the old capital 81
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 compecrs.
had recourse 70 trade as means Of
livelihood, without in any way losing
caste. He has established reputation
as the first cioisonnc manufactures 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-
ious TO show them over his establish
mcnt than to sell them his goods.
In a clean, airy apartment, where
the light comes in softly through the
paper walls. the workers. men and
women. can be seen NJ their tasks. On
the surface Of the object. generally Of
copper, which is to be ennmeled. the
design IL worked out with tiny metal |
fillets. like fiattened wires. Of varying
lengths and shapes. These are fas-
tened on with strong glue. and form
the cf0fsons. 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 stcadincss Of hand. The design
having been thus fixed the enamels are
introduced between the clofsoas. in the
FORM " dry paste, by means Of dimin-
uuvc chopsticks. The whole is then
BAKED after which the various little
cracks and crevices which appear in the
FUSED enamel are filed with fresh
PASTE and the article again placed in the
oven: In the superior work this pro-
cess Is repeated again and again. un-
y. the surface Is uniform and without
i'aw. though a. yet rough and luster-
less. The polishing is done with
stone, and Is .cng 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. un-
I'll the design il left clear and indelible.
by the cioisons, and with
line vitreous luster.
Il Is obvious that wares which re-
quirc 80 much time and skill in their
should command q high
price; and very high accordingly are
Inc prices for good work. Inferior |
ctcssonne can be bought cheap enough.
but is purchase Is not to be recom-
for. besides flaws in the work
manship. which are apparent at once.
ne coloring Of the enamel il apt 70
lade. Of course, in order to distinguish
good work from bad II Is necessary. AZ
n everything else. to be something Of
connoisseur; and especially difficult
4 = to tell coloring which will be dur
able from that which will prove tran
'ient With regard to the blue color
which so aften forms the back ground
y ciofsonne wares, il is important that /
his should be Of the right shade. a.
here are blues Of many kinds besides
ne pure turquoise tint that Is to be | |;
ought after The amount Of decora- !
Ion, Of course. IL one ~ the considera-
ions to be taken into account In de-
ermiEing the value Of the article: but
h's must not BE- too exclusively relied
pom. as Il not unfrequently happens
nat great deal Of labor i expended
pom ornamentation which IL intended
conceal other defects. and thus The Q
est work Is often the simplest. All
background introduced and made Z
pecialty 81 BY Namikawa is composed !
transparent blood-colored enamel, !,
Gifted with flakes Of an opaque white !
dior. Another maker living AZ Yoko- q
oma inserts among his enamels small y
ieces Of gold-stonc; and other artists Y
aye different specialties Of ! similar =
IND. Antique cloisonDe Il. - rule, 4
'uch discolored. and II for decorative v
imposes, Of little value; time will show q
neither the works ~ the famous mod n
a makers are 70 prove more durable. ly'