Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 8.djvu/410

 a dealer in bric-à-brac, the choice specimens which passed through his hands supplied models of unusual merit, and the designs he employed in the decoration of his pieces were thoroughly artistic both in choice and execution. The pâte of the Kosobe-yaki is hard and fine, but somewhat sandy; it varies in colour from dark-grey to reddish white. The glaze is sometimes pearl-grey, sometimes reddish buff, and sometimes white. The decoration is for the most part confined to slight sketches in black or brown. Dainen's works may generally be known by the predominance of a peculiar russet-brown enamel.

The manufacture of this ware was commenced at Sakurai, in the Shimokami district of Settsu, by Kyōmizu Kanzō, in 1782, who is said to have been a pupil of the Kyōtō expert Ogata Shūhei. Both Shūhei and Mokubei are reported to have themselves visited the factory and helped to inaugurate the industry, but there is little authority for this statement. At all events, the Kyōtō style was adopted. Materials were obtained sometimes from the province of Yamashiro and sometimes from Shigaraki (in Omi), as well as from the island of Amakusa. The pâte was very light buff, generally close in texture. The glaze was white, occasionally with a greenish tinge or flecked with red. The designs generally consisted of pine-trees, floral subjects, and verses of poetry, executed in black, brown, violet, and blue. Kyōmizu Kanzō was succeeded by Tazaemon, and the latter by Tajurō, the present artist. The outcome of the factory is now insignificant.