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AMONG THE PORCELAIN-MAKERS. 167
edly to the mats; having done which he sat upon his heels, and
after inquiring about the health of Mr. and Mrs. Jewett, said,
" I have a very good friend, who owns one of the potteries
in Shiba. I will send a telegram to him and he will show you
over his works. Would you like to see some fine of old ware ?
specimens
"
"That will be splendid," exclaimed Sallie. "Mr. Nambo,
I have long wanted to view your collection."
The gentleman called his chief servant and directed him to
fetch certain packages from the dozo (fire-proof store-house)
in the rear of the dwelling.
The man returned, after a few moments' absence, bearing
several boxes which he placed on the mat before his master.
The visitors squatted round in Japanese fashion, then Mr.
Nambo opened one of the packages and said, " I will first
show you a very ancient flask made by a priest named
Gi-yo-ji, who was a native of the province of Idzumi. This
wonderful man invented the potter's wheel, and taught the peo-
ple how to use it. Only a few pieces of his wr are are in
existence."
Their host opened the box and lifted
was carefully wrapped in purple crape.
out the vessel, which
He removed the latter
and revealed a circular bottle about eight inches high and
of a glossy, dark color, with hook-like handles, enclosed in a
network of split rattan. "This was made eleven hundred
and fifty years ago, and is a wonderful specimen of Gi-yo-ji
yaki. No one knows what was kept in it."
He handed the bottle to Sallie, who received it reverently,
and examined its details minutely. Upon giving the treasure
to Fitz, she said, " "
I could gaze on it all day!
Fitz alternately closed his right and left eye, then applied
his nose to the neck of the bottle and sniffed repeatedly, after