JAPAN
Innumerable conceits of shape and varieties of decoration are to be found in these tiny utensils, of which more than one large collection has been made by Western virtuosi. Kentei of the second generation is commonly called Sōtarō. He followed the methods of his father, but preferred floral designs to figure subjects, and was also a manufacturer of porcelain. He died in 1869 at the age of fifty-six. The family name has now been changed to Inui. The present representative is Katsu-no-suke, a keramist who has not yet shown any ability. A potter of the nineteenth century who rivalled Kentei in the production of unglazed ware with decoration in coloured enamels, was Kantei.
Mention may be made here of the Takayama and Irie families. The first representative of the former who adopted keramics as a profession was Takayama Aitaro, sometimes called Genjiro. He resided at Gojō, and became a well-known potter of cups, plates, bowls, and so forth during the Meiwa era (1764–1771). He was succeeded by his son Gembei, who did not depart from his father's methods. The representative of the third generation was Ai-no-suke. From his time (1854) the family manufactured porcelain, but ceased to produce art objects and confined itself to laboratory and hospital utensils. These are now made in considerable quantities by the fourth representative, Aitaro. The story of the Irie family is similar. Its first potter, Irie Kuhei, came to Kyōtō and opened a factory at Mi-ike in 1789, producing chiefly cups, bowls, etc., in decorated faience. In 1842 his son, of the same name, moved to Gojō, and showed so much skill that he was ordered to make fire-pots for use in the
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