Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 8.djvu/363

 the Funaki family settled at Fujina in 1624, and had already been engaged in the pottery manufacture for several generations. If the same source of information be followed, the production of pottery in Izumo dates from an era as remote as the beginning of the twelfth century. But nothing is known of the wares of those early days, and no interest attaches to the story of the Fujina kiln prior to 1764, when, as has been said, Funaki Yajibei worked there. Yajibei himself does not seem to have possessed any special aptitude. The reputation acquired by his factory is due, rather, to the patronage of Narusato, feudal chief of the province. This nobleman, who after his retirement from active life took the name by which he is best known,—Fumai,—was one of Japan's most celebrated virtuosi. He added to the fashions of the tea-clubs a style elaborated by himself, and hence called Unshiu-riu (Unshiu is another name for Izumo), and his patronage of the fine arts was invariably liberal and intelligent. During the Hōreki era (1751-1763) Fumai engaged a potter of repute, Tsuchiya Zenshiro, and appointed him keramic instructor in Izumo. In 1772 this man came to Fujina, and there, with the assistance of Funaki Yajibei, began to manufacture faience that soon acquired a considerable reputation. There were four varieties. The first had chocolate-brown or mahogany glaze resembling that of Seto, but thinner and without any amber tints; the second was distinguished by the aventurine glaze, mentioned above in connection with the Rakuzan factory; the third had soft, wax-like yellow glaze with decoration in gold, red, and green, now the characteristic ware of the province—and the fourth was greyish (sometimes reddish white) faience with exceedingly delicate