Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 8.djvu/163

 white earth found, respectively, at Uchiyama, in the Ibusuki district, at Narukawa, and at Nibura in the same district; and the ash obtained from the bark of the Nara tree grown in the Kagago district. The results of this investigation were satisfactory. Thenceforth there was produced at the Nawashiro, or Nawashiro-gawa factory, a faience superior in pâte and equal in glaze to the celebrated Komagai ware. This was the origin of the Satsuma-yaki destined afterwards to become so famous. It is recorded that Prince Yoshihiro, much pleased with Heii's diligence and skill, appointed him superintendent of the factory, and furnished him with models to copy; the Prince stamping with his own seal—as he did at the Chōsa workshops—specimens that showed exceptional merit. Another plan devised by this noble with the object of promoting excellence was to grant handsome annuities to potters who distinguished themselves, and to withdraw these rewards from those that showed want of skill. The custom was observed by Yoshihiro's successors until the abolition of feudalism (1868). Its effects must have been very marked.

Boku Heii died in the year 1621. The line of his descendants is still uninterrupted, each representative of the family bearing the name of Heii, as was ordained by Prince Yoshihiro. A contemporary of Boku was Chin Tōkichi, who also attained considerable reputation, and was appointed foreman of the Nawashiro factory. He was succeeded by his son Toju, and the latter by his son, Tōkichi. The feudal chief of Sasshiu honored Tōkichi (of the third generation) by conferring on him the name of "Tōichi" (ichi signifies "first," or most excellent). This event occurred about the year 1675, by which time the