Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 8.djvu/251

 mentioned, as a point of interest, that, according to one record, Zengoro Hōzen was not a lineal descendant of the Nara Furo-shi (maker of urns), Nishimura Zengoro, but was in reality of gentle origin. Originally destined for the priesthood, he spent—according to this account—his early years at the temple of Daitoku, in Yamato. There it chanced that his teacher, Kōbairiu, a devotee of the Cha-no-Yu, discovered the youth's aptitude for the potter's trade, and foreseeing his success, caused him to be adopted into the family of Nishimura. There is nothing conclusive to confirm or contradict this account.

The remaining keramists of Kyōtō whose achievements have made them conspicuous are as follows:

Zōrōku was a potter of Gojō-zaka, and his family name was Mashimizu Jutarō. His father, Shimizu Genemon, was a head-man of Kugamura in the province of Yamashiro. Jutarō studied the art under his uncle Wake Kitei (vide Kitei). Having established himself at Gojō in 1849, he adopted the art name of Zōrōku, and, by order of Prince Myōhō-in, changed his family name to Mashimizu. He did not originate any new style of decoration. His faience is, however, not only of excellent technique, but also true to the best traditions of the chaste old Kyōtō school. He further distinguished himself as a manufacturer of céladon porcelain. In 1864, when the well-known master of Tea Ceremonials, Sen-no Sōshitsu, had the honour of organising a Cha-no-Yu entertainment in the Imperial Palace, Zōrōku, by special command, manufactured a tea-jar and teacups for the occasion. In recognition of this service he received the name of Sōgaku. He died in 1878, and was