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4. The Elysian Fields




THE ELYSIAN FIELDS- DECORATIVE SKETCH
By Herman Richir
(Some clothes)


In the sixteenth century one Gorodayy Shonsui, made a journey to Foochow, China, where he learned the art of making porcelains. He took a large stock of clays and feldspar back to Japan, where he made beautiful underglaze blue and white pieces. His work would have ceased with the exhaustion of his materials, had not a Korean potter, who had been forcibly taken to Japan in the hopes that he might yield up some of his secrets for his liberty, discovered the required feldspar near Imari. This discovery insured the permanence of the industry.

At first the deoration of the porcelain was painted onto the biscuit under the glaze, but the much more perfect method of decoration over the glaze was introduced from China in 1650. Next one Higashi Jima perfected the mixing of clays and the firing of wares. In 1770 the seggar was invented. This is a sort of clay pot or cover, in which delicate porcelain can be fired without damage from the fierce heat. The seggar was suggested by several pieces fusing together in such a way as to protect a central one. The Imar porcelains are to be seen in all Japanese bazaars and are at once recognized by their red and blue grounds edged with gold.

Hirado province is justly famous for the small porcelain figures made by its potters during the seventeenth century. Here are also produced exquisite blues. The province of Kaga began its porcelain manufacture in 1650, when the art was brought from China. Throughout the seventeenth century the art flourished, and it finally became extinct in the eighteenth century. In 1800 the industry was revived, the kilns being set up in the plains of Yenuma and Nomi instead of the old site at Kutani in the mountains. The clays, however, still come from Kutani, and the best products of this province are known as Kutani ware, well known for its brilliant gilding on a red background.