Untitled

AMONG THE PORCELAIN-MAKERS. l8l
ers like them. You will observe the costume is very different
from what we wear nowadays and that the performer wears his
hair in the foreign fashion."
The boy examined the painting minutely, then murmured,
:? We
do not shave the backs of our heads. If it were not for
that and the ears, the face would look very
of old Deacon Pillsbury."
much like that
"Is he one of your great warriors? " respectfully inquired
the artist.
" No," was the quick reply, " he is the tax-collector at
Cromlech."
The visitors were next conducted into the glazing-shed,
where they saw the various articles of pottery and porcelain
coated with a composition made of feldspar and leached wood
ashes.
:?
These are put in a kiln and refired," said the proprietor.
"
In some cases we give them a second and even a third glazing,
but that is only when we make very old ware. Please
come with me and I will show you some of our specimens."
They entered store-room after store-room rilled with pot-
tery and porcelain of every kind, made for the ordinary trade
in the States, but, as he had truly said, "though many of the
pieces were colored and toned to make them look old, no ex-
pert would have been deceived by the very best of them."
c? What is the price of this Satsuma koro "
(incense
burner) ? inquired Johnnie, pointing to a tripod vase of yellowish
ware, covered with a cream-colored crackle glaze,
and surmounted with a figure of a lion of the same material.
:? " Two hundred yen (dollars), calmly answered the man.
"What!" ejaculated the boy.
:r
Why, I can buy better
pieces than that in the States for a hundred and fifty dol-
lars."