Fig. 334.—Porcelain Vase.
Hizen ware.
About 1690.
Fig. 335.—Fukurokuji.
The god of longevity.
On his return, he made such important improvements in the composition and decoration of porcelain that henceforth it became superior in many instances to the Chinese, especially in the manufacture of the best specimens, upon which much time and labour were bestowed. The porcelain of Japan is very much like that of China, but the colours are more brilliant on the fine pieces; it has a better finish, and the designs are more of the European character, the flowers, birds, &c., being more natural, and the ky-lins, dragons, and other monsters less hideous; the paste is of better quality and a purer white, especially in ware of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Fig. 336.—Saké Cup and Stand.
Porcelain gold ornament on red ground.
