Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-13
ORIGIN or FAMOUS
JAPANESE PORCELAIN
sATsUmA PRINCES FosTEHED
CHERISHED ART
chIn-lu-Kan, Wealthy Potter, Re-
vived Waning Industry BY Estab-
fishing . Factory and Engaging
Famous Artists
From the Pilgrim.

From the Pilgrim,
Although Japan of late years has
adopted so many occidental customs
and systems, and has modelled her halls
Of learning after those Of the western
world, yet there stiil remain some ma
tional fine arts and industries that
are untouched by intercourse with for
eigners. Notably amongst these Is
school Of painting and class Of pot
terry that have been characteristics OF
japan for hundreds of years.
Many Of the potters today work with
the same primitive appliances as did
their fellow craftsmen of generations
ago. On entering a pottery the vis-
itor is perhaps surprised to see the
skillful manner i'm which the Jumps of
clay are handled ard shaped. In many
factories small urchins, naked rave for
a loin-cloth, may be seen kneading the
clay with their feet. When 1t has
reached the right consistency, It is
cut into the size required for the arr
ticle about to be made, and then passed
on to a workman who sits at potter's
wheel, and, even whilst the visitor
gazes in astonishment, 1t is shaped by
the hands Of the skilful potter irto a
vessel for either use or ornament.
The standard OF excellence attained
by Japanese potters has earnod a
worldwide celebrity for their wares,
and connoisseurs of every country
would consider their collection incoln-
plete without some specimen of fine
Satsuma or other Japanese porcelain.
The success of the industry s due to
very great extent to the patronage
of the Daimois of olden times. The
Japanese are a great present-siving
people, Costly gifts are bestowed upon
friends and relatives at the time Of
birth, marriage and death, and also
upon distinguished visitors.
Princes Owned Potteries
1t was, therefore, the delight OF many
of the princes and lords Of feudal
times to have private pottertes where
articles suitable to the occasion and
social position of the recipient might
be manufactured. They encouraged
the potters in every way to attain the
highest possible standard Of ex.el-
lence.
The powerful Prince Matsura had
such factory, which was established
more than seven hundred years ago. The
present descendant Of the great house
is a patron of this art and owns a
private pottery. The finest specimens
| of porcelain were presented by this
prince to the Shotgun, and the sale of
duplicates, or. indeed, of any Of the
porcelain was strictly forbidden. The
princess of Satsuma also exercised a
great influence over this industry In
1892 the prince of that province brought
back with him number of Korean
potters when he returned to Japan
after his invasion of that country I hey
formed community of their own,
speaking their own language, conform
| ing to their own customs, and marry
ing only among their own people.
/ They built their kama, or kilns, on
the sides of the hills, and many of this
style of oven may still be seen in
different parts of the empire.
Like the owners of other private pot
terles the prince of Satsurna bestowed
his porcelain only upon distinguished
persons and 1t is said 1t has becori.e
so rare that there are only twelve
pieces extant, each of which can be
named and placed.
The commerce and industries OF the
country were so interrupted during the
revolution of 1872 that the potteries
were almost completely destroyed.
Moreover, whilst engaged in the terri
BILE carnage of warfare the mighty
lords had neither time nor inclination
to encourage the fine arts
Saved Famous Ware
Had it not been for Chin-ju-kan.
potter of Satsuma, the ware of that
celebrated provincial name might have
become a lost art. Grieved at the
threatened destruction of his beloved
art, the great potter opened a factory
of his own, and engaged a number Of
noted artists. The product of this
house is well known, and is a fine eH-
ample of modern Satsuma.
To student of ceramic art a visit
to the workshop OF Mr.. Mclean or
Osaka, one of the greatest painters OF
modern Satsuma, must be full of pleas
ure and profit. Fifteen artists are kept
constantly employed, all Of whom are
his own pupils whom he has carefully
trained. Seated on cushions on the
floors before low desks, they tell in
paint the story of Japanese games,
PROFESSIONS, festivals and of persons
and things peculiar to the land of the
rising sun.
One Of the main characteristics Of
Mr.. Meizan's work is extreme minute-
ness. Fifty years ago an exhibition Of
porcelain was held during the emper-
or's visit to Osaka. After careful in-
spection his majesty chose bowl
made by Mr.. Meizan. 1t was fifteen
inches in circumference and about three
inches deep. Inside were painted ten
|