Note 402 — Chapter XV

The Yang–hsien ming hu hsi (quoted in the T´ao lu, bk. viii., fol. 8 verso) states that Ch´ên Chung–mei began by making porcelain at Ching–tê Chên. "It was exceedingly clever, and of an ornamental kind, made with supernatural ingenuity. But the results of his trade were far from sufficient to establish a name, so he gave it up and came to Yang–hsien (i.e. Yi–hsing). He took a delight in blending the teapot clays, putting his heart and soul into the work, and his ware was considered superhuman."