WARES OF KAGA
industry. In 1868 he caused a kiln to be erected within the enclosure of the ex-feudal chief's park, and engaged all the best-known potters of the district. It is unnecessary to recount the vicissitudes that overtook this enterprise. It cost its projector thirty thousand dollars, and reduced him to a position of exceedingly straitened means. But the benefit conferred on the keramic art by his exertions and sacrifices was very great. There are now (1885) upwards of 2,700 persons engaged, either technically or commercially, in the industry in Kaga province. Among them are 280 painters whose pupils number 520. Frequent efforts have been made by the authorities to improve the standard of the art, and large quantities of the ware are exported every year. There is a Pottery Association to which the principal manufacturers belong, and there is also a Society of Experts who watch the work and keep the potters supplied with good designs. Kaga porcelain has thus been brought into considerable favour. Table services of all kinds for Western use are produced in great numbers. They are porcelain of fair quality, and their invariable decoration is of the red-and-gold type. Medallions of various shapes enclose landscapes, floral compositions, figures or mythical animals, and are themselves surrounded by a red ground with golden designs traced on it. The execution is often of a very high character,—miniature painting which for delicacy and accuracy leaves nothing to be desired. Especially is this true of pieces having a multitude of tiny figures in gold depicted with microscopic fidelity on a solid red ground. But it must be confessed that the fashion lacks variety. One wearies of a perpetual glitter of gilding and massing of red pigment, more especially
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