JAPAN
are capable of being deceived by such devices must buy their experience. It may help them, however, to know that the presence of a dull black or brown pigment in the decoration is an infallible sign of modern work.
The third class of wares often sold as "old Satsuma" are not Satsuma faience at all. They are manufactured in Kyōtō, Owari, or at Ota, near Yokohama. These will be noticed in their proper places. It will be enough to say here that the trade in them has virtually ceased.
The average number of specimens of genuine old Satsuma enamelled faience that have been offered annually for sale in Japan during the past fifteen years is probably from five to ten, and not more than one-half of these have left the country. These facts ought to teach collectors in Europe and America what to expect.
Readers who have followed the above history with care need scarcely be reminded that ivory-like craquelé faience, with decoration in gold and coloured enamels, is by no means the only Satsuma-yaki worthy of note, though Western collectors have hitherto concentrated their attention on it to the exclusion of other varieties. Even though the connoisseur confine himself to faience manufactured with the well-known white pâte of the Nawashiro workshops, he finds, in addition to enamelled surfaces, the four rare monochromes mentioned above; namely, apple-green, straw-yellow, pure black, and gold-dust black. Every one of these is beautiful and attractive. The charm of the green and yellow glazes is greatly enhanced by their minute crackle, and the soft lustre of the black will bear comparison with its Chinese rival. Owing to their
168
