Vases are sometimes seen separated in the middle into two pieces (which must have been cut while the clay was soft), the upper half being completely divided from the lower half—in arabesques and dove-tail patterns, in such a manner, that although separate, they cannot be altogether removed from each other; the wonder is, that in the baking, the edges in juxtaposition should not have become again cemented together.
The Chinese themselves are great forgers, and endeavour to impose not only upon the Europeans, but upon their own countrymen, many of whom are great amateurs, and are willing to pay extravagant prices for ancient examples of porcelain, especially if made by a celebrated potter.
JAPAN
The information concerning the origin of making porcelain in Japan is very scanty. Dr. Hoffmann of Leyden published a history of the principal porcelain manufactories in 1799, which is appended to M. Stanislas Julien’s account of those of China: it was a translation from a Japanese work. He says it was to a colony of Koræans established in the province of Omi, in the island of Nippon, in the year 27 B.C., that the introduction of this art was attributed. About the same epoch there lived in the province of Idsumi, situated like that of Omi in the island of Nippon, a man named Nomino Sukuné, who made, in pottery and porcelain, vases and notably figures of the size of life, to substitute for slaves, which it had been previously the custom to bury with their masters. Nomino received as a recompense authorisation to take the name of Fazi, in the Koræan language Patzi, artist-workman.
Under Sei-wa (859-876 A.D.) the number of fabriques increased considerably.
Under Syun-tok (1211-1221), a Japanese potter named Katosiro-uye-mon commenced the making of small vases in which to preserve tea, but for want of a better process he placed them in the kiln on their orifices, which consequently appeared as if they had been used, and the vases were little cared for. Desirous of improving himself in the art, Katosiro, accompanied by a Bonze or Buddhist monk, visited China in 1211, with orders from his Government to make himself acquainted with all the secret processes of the manufacture, which was at that time brought to so great perfection there.
