Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 8.djvu/34

 Owari, that everything which preceded it was forgotten, and the name Seto-mono (i. e. ware of Seto) thenceforth became the generic term for all keramic manufactures in Japan, just as "China" is in Europe.

In his later years ShirozæmonShirozaemon [sic] took the name of Shunkei. As showing the appreciation in which he is held by his countrymen, the inscription on a porcelain tablet erected to his memory is interesting. It runs as follows:—

The Father of pottery was a scion of the noble family of Fujiwara. His name was Kagemasa, but he was popularly known as Katō ShirozæmonShirozaemon [sic]. His artist name was Shunkei, which may be written in two different fashions. The epithet "Father of Pottery" was given to him after his death. He was grandson of Tachibana Tomosada, who lived at the village of Michikage, in the district of Morowa, province of Yamato, and his father's name was Motoyasu. His mother was the daughter of Michikage, an inhabitant of Fukakusa, in Yamashiro, and a member of the Taira family. From his childhood ShirozæmonShirozaemon [sic] developed a taste for working in clay and fashioning vessels of pottery. He never ceased to regret that he lacked the skill of the Chinese potters, and for years harboured the resolve of going to study beyond the sea. When grown up, he took service under the Dainagon Koga Michichika, and was nominated to the post of Shodaibu, and raised to the Fifth Official Rank. At last, in the year 1223, he was enabled to visit China in the company of the priest, Dōen. There he studied assiduously for six years. On his return he landed at Kawajiri, in the province of Higo. On the voyage home he had manufactured three tea-jars with clay brought from China. These he presented to his friend Dōen, and to the Regent Hōjō Tokiyori. The jars were afterwards preserved as heirlooms. ShirozæmonShirozaemon [sic] was twenty-six years of age at the period of his return, and he lost no time in visiting his father, who had been exiled to Matsuto in Bizen. There he sojourned for a season and practised his art. Subsequently he went to see his mother