Japanese pottery

“Three children sit in front of a shop cramped with ceramics and pottery. Inside a boy, probably an apprentice, is using a Soroban (abacus). Lots of teapots and cups can be seen. Under the eaves large plates are on display.

This photo is featured in Japan, Described and Illustrated by the Japanese, edited by Captain F Brinkley., with the text: “Porcelain and Pottery Shops. Japanese keramic art dates from about A.D. 1600, having been introduced by Korean captives. The variety of wares from the coarsest to the finest is bewildering to the uninitiated. Small shops for the sale of crockery abound everywhere, and, being tastefully arranged, are very attractive.”¹

The photographs for this publication were sourced by Kozaburo Tamamura (1856-1923?), but it is not known who the photographer is of this image.”