WARES OF HIZEN
through the medium of Chinese dealers in Nagasaki. Specimens thus distinguished were not of the finest quality, and probably for this reason they do not appear to have been carefully preserved. Throughout the Tempō era (1830–1843) the practice of marking—in blue under the glaze—seems to have become commoner, but the outcome of the factory was so small that very few specimens of that period survive.
The names of the Mikawachi potters and their order of descent are as follows:—
THE IMAMURA FAMILY, FOUNDED BY
1. Imamura Tanroku (1598–1640), a Korean who came to Japan in the train of Hideyoshi's generals.
2. Imamura Tonichi.
3. Imamura Joen (called also San-no-jo). He discovered (1650) the Ajiro-tsuchi, or plait-clay, of Mitsu-ga-take.
4. Imamura Yajibei. He discovered the Amakusa porcelain stone in 1712, and was the first manufacturer of Hirado porcelain.
5. Imamura Masafusa.
6. Imamura Masayoshi.
7. Imamura Masafusa.
8. Imamura Masayoshi.
9. Imamura Sōhachi.
10. Imamura Tsutsutaro.
11. Imamura Yajibei.
12. Imamura Junsaburo—still living, but not engaged in keramic industry.
THE HIGUCHI FAMILY, FOUNDED BY
1. Higuchi Yajiro, a son of Imamura Joen, third descendant of Imamura Tanroku (vide Imamura family).
2. Higuchi Uemon.
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