DOI issue:
Nr. 222 (September 1911)
DOI article:Harada, Jirō: Japanese art and artists of to-day, [6]: Cloisonné enamel-work
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20973#0298
Japanese Art and Artists of To-day.—-
VI. Cloisonne' Enamels\
the tokonoma or post of honour in the Japanese The development of this misconception in
house. Specimens of the ware are found in what regard to foreign taste has worked disaster. It is
are known as the " European rooms " in Japanese deplorable when any art is degraded in order to
houses,* either as decorations, when they are please a buyer. The ludicrous part of it all is
in the form of vases set on the mantelpiece or that in the West, especially in America, this
plaques on the walls, or as
articles of use, such as cigar
or cigarette boxes on tables.
It is but natural that the true
Japanese taste should make jgj
a concession here, giving in
to what is termed " foreign iSlW
taste," a term generally ap-
plicable to that which is
, ,. , KAWAGUCHl's
vulgar according to the true mark
Japanese standard. It may
be added that an incon-
gruous combination of gay _Tv^
and brilliant colours is \~j. ^
generally considered the
prime factor in " foreign
taste," whereas harmonious
, , j- c , j . miwa tomisa-
blendmg of subdued tones euro's mark
is essential in order to appeal (Carved into
to the more aesthetic sense silver)
of the Japanese. A weird
cloisonne vase
by hattori tadasaburo (nagoya)
depraved art, adapted with a view to winning
Western favours, and in which the true Japanese
ideals are sacrificed, is believed to be characteristic
of Japanese workmanship. However, it is but fair
to add that this failure to ap-
preciate what is best in the
other's art has been mutual, as
may be realised from the fact
that after several years' ex-
perience of selling Western
goods in Japan an American
firm in Yokohama was at last THE MARK 0F
obliged to instruct the exporters tamura
in the West to " ship articles 01
the ugliest shapes and colours
cloisonne bowl, by tsukamoto tojuro (nagoya) that can be found."
Appreciation for such objects
combination of absurd colours in the designs of cannot outlive a better know-
shippo wares, as well as in other articles, is often ledge of the nation by whom
the logical consequence of the former notion. they are produced, nor can the
* T. ■ ____ , . r , . , more outre cloisonne enamels THE MARK OF
* It is quite common nowadays in residences of fairly adachi
well-to-do people to have an annexe built in European continue to be acceptable when ,carvea
style, or at least a room furnished in European style. produced under such false into metal)
277
VI. Cloisonne' Enamels\
the tokonoma or post of honour in the Japanese The development of this misconception in
house. Specimens of the ware are found in what regard to foreign taste has worked disaster. It is
are known as the " European rooms " in Japanese deplorable when any art is degraded in order to
houses,* either as decorations, when they are please a buyer. The ludicrous part of it all is
in the form of vases set on the mantelpiece or that in the West, especially in America, this
plaques on the walls, or as
articles of use, such as cigar
or cigarette boxes on tables.
It is but natural that the true
Japanese taste should make jgj
a concession here, giving in
to what is termed " foreign iSlW
taste," a term generally ap-
plicable to that which is
, ,. , KAWAGUCHl's
vulgar according to the true mark
Japanese standard. It may
be added that an incon-
gruous combination of gay _Tv^
and brilliant colours is \~j. ^
generally considered the
prime factor in " foreign
taste," whereas harmonious
, , j- c , j . miwa tomisa-
blendmg of subdued tones euro's mark
is essential in order to appeal (Carved into
to the more aesthetic sense silver)
of the Japanese. A weird
cloisonne vase
by hattori tadasaburo (nagoya)
depraved art, adapted with a view to winning
Western favours, and in which the true Japanese
ideals are sacrificed, is believed to be characteristic
of Japanese workmanship. However, it is but fair
to add that this failure to ap-
preciate what is best in the
other's art has been mutual, as
may be realised from the fact
that after several years' ex-
perience of selling Western
goods in Japan an American
firm in Yokohama was at last THE MARK 0F
obliged to instruct the exporters tamura
in the West to " ship articles 01
the ugliest shapes and colours
cloisonne bowl, by tsukamoto tojuro (nagoya) that can be found."
Appreciation for such objects
combination of absurd colours in the designs of cannot outlive a better know-
shippo wares, as well as in other articles, is often ledge of the nation by whom
the logical consequence of the former notion. they are produced, nor can the
* T. ■ ____ , . r , . , more outre cloisonne enamels THE MARK OF
* It is quite common nowadays in residences of fairly adachi
well-to-do people to have an annexe built in European continue to be acceptable when ,carvea
style, or at least a room furnished in European style. produced under such false into metal)
277