Studio: international art (46.1909)

The Cha-no-yu Pottery of Japan

one object may be seen by an examination of the
small bowl by Hozen of Kioto (Fig. 25). The
earth employed is dark brown in colour in which
are small particles of white silica. The exterior is
partly covered with brown glaze through which the
earth is seen in numberless uncovered specks. Over
the interior and upper portion of the exterior is run a
thick cream-coloured glaze, rather coarsely crackled
with great regularity, the cracks being filled with a
black stain. Upon the outside portion of this
bowl is a simple design in blue and brown to
suggest a flight of ducks over water and reeds.
Like other examples of Cha-no-yu pottery, its general
appearance is one of extreme modesty, and it is

FIG. 20. FLOWER VASE, MIZORO WARE

it appears to me after careful examination of
some choice examples in several notable collec-
tions, had a dainty imagination, but less power and
originality in his decorative schemes than Kenzan,
while, as a potter, he was con-
versant with] every known
method of potting, and was
second to none in the perfec-
tion of his work. In conse-
quence of the large number
of forgeries bearing the mark
Ninsei, mistaken impressions
of the master’s productions are
frequent, and it is not possible
to give any hard-and-fast rule
for the guidance of collectors.

There is, however, a distinc-
tion in the work of all men of
genius which, in ordinary cir-
cumstances, prevents it from
beirg confounded with that
of lesser lights.

The diversity of interest
that may be found at times in

FIG. 21. TEA JAR, BY NINSEI

FIG. 22. PERFUME BOX, BY NINSEI

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