CHINA
my grammatical instinct, adopted the second rendering, since I have seen a Sung specimen bearing the number wu (five) as a trade mark. The description given by Fortune (A Residence among the Chinese, London, 1857, p. 86) of 'the most ancient examples of porcelain' apparently refers to this class of Chün-yao.
Referring to the caution that pieces showing mixed colours, owing to being imperfectly fired, should not be distinguished as different kinds, he says:—
As is done in Julien's translation (pp. 74 and 75), where seven classes are named, viz., (1) Mei-tzu-ch'ing or green or blue, like plums'; (2) Chia-pi-tzu or 'purple brown, like the egg-plant fruit' (see above); (3) Hai-tang-hung or 'red, like the Japanese pear'; (4) Chu-kan or 'pig's liver' (see above); (5) Lo fei or 'mule's lungs'; (6) Pi-ti or 'mucus' (see above); and (7) T'ien-lan or 'sky blue.' The Ch'ing-pi-tsang says: 'Of Chün-chou porcelains the best quality consists of pieces that are red like rouge; the second quality is green (ch'ing) like onion leaves and kingfisher's plumage, and brown or purple like ink. Pieces that are of a pure colour and contain one or two numbers as marks on the bottom, are superior; pieces that show mixed colours are in no demand.'
Dr. Bushell corrects a portion of the above renderings. In his review of Dr. Hirth's pamphlet, he writes: —"Dr. Hirth translates—'Among these porcelains, those which have bottoms like the flower-pots in which sword-grass is grown, are considered the most excellent; the others, viz., those which have bottoms like ton-shaped censers, Ho-fang jugs, or Kuan-tsu,' &c. I would render it, 'Among these porcelains the flower-pots and saucers for growing sword-grass are the most beautiful; the others, viz., the barrel-seats, censers and boxes, square vases and jars with covers,' &c. These things are all well
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