Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 8.djvu/329

 ince (Owari) had given the initiative after the return (1807) of Tamikichi from Hizen. The materials used by the Mino porcelain makers were identical with those employed in Owari. From the first the decoration was confined almost exclusively to blue sous couverte, native cobalt (kongo) found in the neighbourhood, and Chinese cobalt (gōsū) being used, the latter for all choice specimens. About the year 1830 great technical skill had been developed, especially at the Ichi-no-kura factory, where was produced blue-and-white egg-shell porcelain of wonderful delicacy. Large pieces of this class were not potted, the workmen limiting themselves chiefly to tiny tea-bowls or wine-cups, of which the outer surface was generally plain, and the inner decorated with designs of the utmost simplicity, exhibiting that charming combination of grace and boldness for which Japanese art is remarkable. An outline sketch of Fujiyama, its blue head touched by golden clouds among which floats a flock of cranes; or, it may be, a single branch of plum-bloom, peeping apparently through mists that hide a forest of flowers; or again, the gable of a cottage, its rustic eave overshadowed by a pine-bough—these are among the subjects most commonly found on the egg-shell porcelain of Ichi-no-kura, and in examining them one is disposed to fancy that the artist's intention has been to suggest, not a permanent picture, but rather some transient vision reflected for a moment on the pure surface of the ware.

It was not till the year 1878 that decoration with enamels over the glaze began to be employed by the Mino potters. This innovation is due to the Tajimi factory. The style adopted closely resembles the modern ware of Kaga, that is to say, designs in gold