EARLY WARES
æsthetics, was not elaborated until the fifteenth century, but simultaneously with the import of the leaf some of the vessels employed in infusing and serving it were brought to Japan, and from these it became apparent that the Chinese potter under the Sung dynasty had completely distanced both Korea and Japan in technical processes, while, at the same time, a new need was felt by the Japanese for utensils of improved quality. Accordingly, Katō Shirozæmon, a potter who had already acquired some reputation, determined to make a voyage to China, and in the year 1223 accomplished his object in company with a priest, Dōen.
After an absence of six years Shirozæmon returned and settled at Seto, in the province of Owari, where he commenced the manufacture of a ware which to this day is regarded with the utmost esteem by his countrymen. It was manipulated with considerable care and no longer stoved in an inverted position, as had previously been the case, so that the upper parts of the vessels were free from the irregularities and imperfections of their predecessors. The paste was reddish brown clay, with a considerable mixture of siliceous particles, and the glaze, applied with great skill, was most commonly dark-brown or chocolate-colour, having occasionally streaks or patches of a different tint. The chief productions were tea-jars of various sizes and shapes, which, having been from the very first treasured up with greatest care by their fortunate possessors, still exist in considerable numbers, and are still highly valued by amateurs of the Cha-no-Yu (Tea Ceremonial). So great a reputation did this Tōshiro-yaki, as it was commonly called, enjoy, and such prestige did its appearance give to the potters of
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