JAPAN
FAMILY OF AGANO TOKUBEI, OR TŌSHIRO
- Tokubei, or Tōshiro; died (about) 1690.
The representative of each generation of this family seems to have taken the name Toshiro, until the sixth (about 1840), an expert of considerable reputation called Yahachiro. His son, Tōshiro, was the father of the present representative, Jirokichi.
FAMILY OF AGANO TOROSUKE
- Torosuke; died (about) 1760. It is said that this artist travelled to Yedo, and learned the method of manufacturing Raku faience.
There is no record of the history of this family, except that the representative of the fifth generation, named Gentaro, was counted an expert of great skill and flourished in the Tempo era (1830-1843). The present representative is Agano Yaichiro.
In recent years the manufacture of Yatsushiro faience, after a period of comparative cessation, has been actively revived. The best specimens now produced are carefully and artistically made, but fall short of the old ware in lustre and delicacy. Six varieties of clay are used to form the pâte and glaze. They are all found within the boundaries of Higo, and are named after the localities where they exist.
As is the case with nearly all Japanese wares, good specimens of early Yatsushiro-yaki are generally small and insignificant. Vases are rarely, if ever, found: they belong to a comparatively late period of manufacture. Censers, cups, bowls, and small dishes make up the total of procurable examples. Decoration over the glaze was never employed: such an addition indicates a piece destined for the foreign market. Within the past twenty years many modern
324
