Old Japanese Art 1 3 



lady in the 10th century, to show what advanced ideas were 

 prevalent at that remote period with regard to art. Even the 

 modern catchwords of " correct taste and high aesthetic prin- 

 ciples" are found in this remarkable novel. A few of the leading 

 facts in the history of Japanese art were then noted, particularly 

 as regards the life of the Hogarth of the country, the renowned 

 Hokusai. By the kindness of Mr. W. H. Patterson, his famous 

 work, " The 100 views of the mountain Fusiyama," were 

 exhibited, to show his skill. After a full explanation of the 

 general principles on which their art is founded, and a descrip- 

 tion of the way a Japanese artist works, a quotation was given 

 from Mr. W. Anderson, illustrating the distinction between the 

 ordinary artisan and the inventor artist, who, gifted with talents 

 of a very high order, designed and carried to completion the 

 splendid works in bronze, porcelain, and lacquer which have 

 reached Europe. Some amusing instances of the marvellous 

 skill said to have been attained by the old masters were cited, 

 such as that of the artist who drew a dragon, and, as he com- 

 pleted the eye of the monster, it rose and flew away. The 

 famous horse painted on a temple screen was also mentioned, 

 which was nightly accustomed to leave the picture and roam 

 the rice fields, but was at last recognized, and its ravages stopped 

 by blotting out the eyes of the masterpiece. The different 

 substances employed in their art industries were indicated, and 

 the* concluding portion of the lecture was devoted to describing 

 the more important, such as lacquer, ceramics, metalwork, and 

 enamels. A concise history of the methods employed in lacquer 

 was given, and examples of this beautiful art shown, more 

 particularly on sword mountings. A fine example in the 

 possession of the reader was exhibited, with eight distinct 

 varieties of lacquer used on it, beside many other processes of 

 inlaying and other arts peculiar to Japan. The remarks made 

 on the various kinds of pottery and porcelain were illustrated by 

 specimens of each manufacture. The stone wares of Bizen, 

 Raku, and Soma were discussed, and the porcelain of Kaga and 

 Kioto ; whilst the famous Satsuma and its imitations were fully 

 explained. The subject of metal work occupied some time, as, 



