Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 8.djvu/91

 manufacturing processes of the Japanese and the imperfection of their business methods, they can sell their modern keramic products in Europe at prices considerably below those of the corresponding European articles. Even China can scarcely compete with Japan in this respect, although the conditions of production are approximately the same in both countries. Total neglect of all complicated appurtenances, wonderful simplicity of implements, and the unique possession of a class of artist-artisans who, working for wages little higher than those of a common labourer, exercise a degree of skill that would command large remuneration elsewhere—these doubtless are the circumstances which give Japan a marked advantage in competition with other countries. As yet she has failed to avail herself of her opportunities. She clings to her old custom of divided effort. Her potters, instead of combining for the wholesale production of house-hold utensils, are content to work at miniature kilns, and to contribute each his tiny quota of separate labour to a needlessly expensive total. As a gifted singer will sometimes forget the measure of the music to dwell upon a note of special beauty, so it may be said of the Japanese keramist that the exceptional nature of his productions and his inherited dexterity prevent him from appreciating the deficiencies of his manufacturing methods. He has yet to be led out of the limited sphere of his own experiences into the wide field of keramics, and to be taught that in these busy times art-genius must consent to walk hand in hand with manufacturing progress. Nowhere, perhaps, is there more room for improvement than in the matter of ovens, for however good in principle and cheap in construction the Japanese oven may be, it gives most uncertain results in practice. The question of fuel, too, is beginning to force itself upon the manufacturer's attention. The hills in the neighbourhood of Seto, in Owari, are completely denuded of timber, and the cost of transporting firewood becomes yearly more serious. The recently invented gas-ovens of Europe are doubtless fitted to solve this dilemma, and it is probable that intelligent enterprise to utilise these or other reforms will not long be wanting among Japanese keramists.