Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 8.djvu/310

 The potters of Atsuta now returned to Seto, and Katō Tōzaemon, Kichizaemon, and his son Tamikichi combined to establish a porcelain factory there. Their example was followed by fourteen keramists. But the quality of the ware underwent no improvement. It became evident that without fuller instruction the industry had no future. In this dilemma the eyes of the potters naturally turned towards Hizen. Tamikichi resolved to proceed thither,—a tedious journey and one of more than doubtful success. It was known that the secrets of the art were jealously guarded, and that an attempt to acquire them might end disastrously. The story furnishes another instance of the part played by the Buddhist priesthood in fostering and promoting Japanese industries. It was a priest that familiarised the people with the chief mechanical processes of pottery manufacture; it was a priest that enabled Katō Shirozaemon to visit China; and it was a priest that now aided Tamikichi's design. The consent of the lord of the fief was, of course, a necessary preliminary to the journey; but great a noble as was the Prince of Owari, he could do little to further Tamikichi's ultimate purpose. In the island of Amakusa, off the coast of Higo, the temple of Tōkōji was under the direction of an Abbot named Tenchu. This prelate was a native of Owari, had served there as an acolyte, and still continued to visit Seto on his preaching tours. Furnished with a letter to the Abbot, Tamikichi set out in company with a priest called Genmon. The two men left Seto March 10, 1804. They were escorted to the outskirts of the district by all the chief men of Seto, such a journey for such a purpose being regarded as an undertaking of almost solemn