  
Kyoto ware: hibatchis A — Large hibatchi, of modern faience, manufactured by Tai-zan, of Awata. The pate is of a warm cream colour, of fine quality, and covered with a bright glaze, crackled. This important piece is decorated, in rather an unusual style, with powderings of Imperial kiku crests, in different colours and gold, and flowers and leaves, upon a ground pattern of delicate scroll-work, somewhat similar in treatment to that introduced in ancient Japanese cloisonne enamels. Height: 14 inches. B — Small hibatchi, of a manufacture in all respects the same as the above. Its general decoration is also similar, but with the addition of a free rendering of the other Imperial crest, the kiri. Height: 8¼ inches. C — Basin, of Awata ware, exhibited by the Japanese Commissioners at the Vienna Exhibition. It is of fine cream-tinted faience, covered with a bright glaze, crackled. The decoration of this piece is highly interesting, displaying the taste and skill of the native artists in caricature. The subject is one for which it is somewhat difficult to find an expressive name; it appears to represent a mythical warfare between the dragon of the deep and fishes and other marine creatures, conspicuous amongst which is the terrible octopus, brandishing a weapon with its pliant tentacles. All the fishes are clothed in rich garments, and carry spears or other weapons, and each has a characteristic expression given to it by the artist. The entire painting is carefully executed, and the colouring is at once rich and harmonious. Diameter: 12¼ inches. Lithograph, by Bauer, published 1875.
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