Note 157 — Chapter V · WAN LI (1573–1619) AND OTHER REIGNS
Reading edition
. There is an allusion in this name to the story of Hu Kung, a magician of the third and fourth centuries, who was credited with marvellous healing powers. Every night he disappeared, and it was found at length that he was in the habit of retiring into a hollow gourd which hung from the door post. See A. E. Hippisley, Catalogue of a Collection of Chinese Porcelains, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, 1900. Hao’s porcelain is also known as Hu kung yao (the ware of Mr. Pots).
