Kyoto's Ceramic Masterpiece: Shisaikamon by Toraku Morisato

Toraku Morisato, the third-generation potter of Toraku Pottery Workshop, a century-old atelier in Kyoto. While carrying on the Toraku tradition, his original works with a unique perspective have captivated many.

His style incorporates not only Japanese elements but also many exotic elements. This is the result of actively incorporating things that interested him throughout his pottery career and reflecting them in his works.

The base of his activities is Kyoto, a place overflowing with quintessential Japanese essence. However, even Kyoto has become what it is today by accepting various external cultures. This background has also greatly influenced Morisato's style.

At first glance, they bring joy to the heart. Morisato's pottery is filled with such charm. The delicately yet boldly colored Kyo-mishima brightens up daily life.

Feature 1: ‘Inka’ patterns blooming by Toraku

Applying patterns to the formed clay at the right time is an important process. Once it's dried to some extent, decorations are made by line carving and "inka" stamping which creates continuous patterns with stamps. As the handmade stamps are moved rhythmically, flowers bloom one after another on the pottery in hand. Both speed and beauty are crucial. The fact that the stamp impressions are not too crowded is due to the artisan's sense cultivated over many years.

Feature 2: Applying whimsical white flowers

White flowers are created using white slip with a brush. Rather than drawing, it's more like piling up the slip, hence called "fude-mori" (brush piling). Furthermore, the entire piece is dipped in thinly diluted white mud. By doing this, more white clay accumulates in the indented parts where stamps were applied, making white flowers and “inka” patterns emerge.

While maintaining an exquisite balance, by combining these two techniques, white flowers with different atmospheres bloom on the surface of the pottery.

Feature 3: Elegant and delicate handle

The handles of cups and teapots are not only important for being well-balanced and easy to hold, but each one is handmade, finished elegantly and delicately, which is a particular commitment of Toraku Pottery Workshop.

Feature 4: "Shisaikamon" woven with elegant gold decoration and majestic purple

The third-generation Toraku, inheriting the will of the first-generation Toraku and developing the "Kyo-mishima" established by the second generation, has evolved it into "Shisaikamon" by adding luxurious gold decoration and rich purple accents, creating pottery that brings flowers to the heart to everyday life.

The unique development of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki Pottery

The background of the development of "Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki" is slightly different from that of pottery in other parts of Japan. While many pottery producing areas developed because "clay was available in that area," Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki developed because there were requests from tea masters and feudal lords for "this kind of pottery" when Kyoto was the capital, and highly skilled artisans gathered there, creating pottery one by one based on orders.

Toraku Pottery Workshop, the prestigious name that established the style of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki

Such Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki developed near the now iconic tourist spot, Kiyomizu Temple. The pottery reflects the artisans' spirit to meet the user's particular preferences. Toraku Pottery Workshop in Yamashina, Kyoto, is one of the kilns that continues to create custom-made pottery.

The first-generation Toraku began pottery making in Kyoto during the Taisho era, specializing in Mishima ware, characterized by the “inka” technique of creating continuous patterns by line carving and stamping, and inlaying white clay.

The second-generation Toraku, rooted in this tradition, uniquely developed and established "Kyo-mishima" within Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki, featuring unparalleled delicate patterns and elegant hues.

The third-generation Toraku, inheriting and sublimating his predecessors' aspirations

And now, the third-generation Toraku continues to create elegant and gorgeous pottery based on "Kyo-mishima" established by the second generation, while inheriting the will of the first-generation Toraku.

Morisato says, "I think it's very interesting that different cultural blood mixes with the land and its climate, and new things can be created because different blood mixes." True to his words, he has a strong interest in the treasures of the Shosoin from the Nara period, Middle Eastern pottery, and Islamic architecture, and by projecting such essences into his style, his current style was established. The unique style that has a hint of exoticism within the Japanese-like gorgeousness was created from this attitude of actively incorporating new elements.

"Shisaikamon" born from a "New Perspective"

"Shisaikamon" was also created from such a "new perspective." Traditionally, the color of Mishima ware was often influenced by the color of the clay, with grayish tones being common, and purple-tinged pottery was not typical. Morisato saw potential in this color scheme, and that's how the current Shisaikamon came to be. Pottery colored in purple, which symbolizes nobility in Japan, brings a more festive feeling to daily life.

One of the charms of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki is the beauty of the patterns drawn in perfect balance. "Shisaikamon" is one of its completions.

Despite being pottery made from clay, Toraku Morisato creates delicate and gorgeous vessels.

The “inka” patterns, white slip brush piling, and purple and gold overglaze painting are applied in perfect balance.

The unique "mokko" shape is said to be a stylized cross-section of a melon, but it originally represents a bird's nest symbolizing prosperity of descendants, and is a traditional pattern used in many family crests.

The essence of Toraku Morisato's meticulous craftsmanship, the openwork bowl.

After the process of making two bowls, they are bridged with over 80 beams.

The carefully crafted shape brings unparalleled, beautiful shadows.

Combined with the surface decoration of "Shisaikamon", it shows an even more noble appearance.

It can be used as a serving bowl that brings exceptional presence to any ingredient.

This is an openwork bowl made with over 50 beams, similar to the Hassun openwork bowl.

Toraku Morisato's painstaking pottery work is the same as the Hassun bowl but slightly smaller, with “inka” patterns and brush piling applied all over, and further purple and gold overglaze painting.

It can be used as a small dish that becomes the highlight of the table setting.

It combines the gorgeous "Shisaikamon" pattern with a bamboo handle design.

Bamboo, which doesn't lose its leaves even in cold winter and stays green, grows straight and fast, appears in Japan's “pine-bamboo-plum” and China's “Four Gentlemen” (plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum), and is an auspicious motif.

It's a luxurious teapot with “inka” patterns applied all over.

This is a mug cup and saucer that combines "Shisaikamon" and bamboo design, like the teapot.

The larger mug allows you to enjoy a relaxing moment, and the plate can be used not only as a saucer but also to serve baked goods or tea accompaniments.

I aim to create pottery that people need

What I always keep in mind is that our creations should not be satisfied just because they are beautiful, easy to use, or traditional. Ultimately, I believe they must be something that people need and find useful.

We provide objects as works, but I think providing the time to use these objects is more important.

If possible, I'd like people to not just display them but actually use them. Eventually, pottery will break and disappear. But at that time, thoughts like "I'm glad I used this pottery" or "The food I ate from this dish was delicious" are something you can keep forever. I think that's much more important. So, I really want people to use them.

Toraku Morisato Profile

Born in 1959. Apprenticed under the second-generation Toraku in 1981, and succeeded as the third-generation Toraku in 1996. Received the title of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki Traditional Craftsman.

 Inheriting the will of the first-generation Toraku, who began pottery making in Kyoto's Kiyomizu area during the Taisho era, and the second-generation Toraku who created Kyo-mishima, he succeeded as the third-generation Toraku, the current head. While inheriting the traditional techniques, he has poured his unique essence into his works, evolving them. His one-of-a-kind, elegant and gorgeous "Kyo-mishima" has gained support from many pottery enthusiasts.