August 9 2024
What is "Kutani ware"? Features, charm, kiln origins, and pottery market information
The origins and historical development of Kutani ware
The history of Kutani ware dates back to around 1655, in the early Edo period. The origin of this pottery began when Maeda Toshiharu, the first lord of the Daishoji domain, a branch domain of Kaga, took notice of the discovery of ceramic stone at the Kutani gold mine (present-day Kutani Town, Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture). He ordered Gotō Saijirō, who was serving as an alchemist at the gold mine, to learn pottery techniques in Hizen Arita. Afterward, a kiln was built in Kutani, marking the beginning of the history of Kutani ware.
Kutani ware is characterized by its traditional bone-drawing technique and masculine coloring. Early works are known as "Old Kutani" and are highly regarded as representative of Japanese colored porcelain. The kiln was closed in the early 1700s for a period, but the reason for this remains a mystery to this day.
About 100 years later, the Kaga Domain invited Aoki Mokubei, a potter and literati painter, to open the Kasugayama kiln in Kanazawa. Taking this opportunity, Kutani ware was revived, and kilns such as Ono kiln and Yoshidaya kiln also appeared, leading to the development of various painting styles.
During the Meiji era, a new painting technique called "Saishiki Kinrande" was developed by Kutani Shōzō of the Ono kiln, and Kutani ware began to attract international attention. During this period, it was exhibited at the Vienna World's Fair and gained fame as "Japan Kutani."
The charm of Kutani ware
The charm of Kutani ware lies in the beauty created by its rich history and unique techniques. Especially, the overglaze painting using the five colors known as "Kutani Gosai"—green, yellow, purple, red, and navy blue—gives Kutani ware pieces depth and brilliance. The harmony of these colors brings a distinctive weight and beauty to the ceramics. The slightly bluish hue of the base material enhances compatibility with the overglaze painting, further highlighting the appeal of the works. As the saying goes, "There is no Kutani without overglaze painting," overglaze painting is one of the most characteristic elements of Kutani ware.
The charm of Kutani ware is not limited to its beautiful colors alone. Its historical background and tradition give the works deep meaning and value. Early Ko-Kutani pieces are highly regarded for their unique strength and beauty, elements that continue to be inherited in the works today.
Kutani ware is also highly regarded internationally. In the Meiji era, new painting techniques were developed, and its beauty spread worldwide through events such as the Vienna World's Fair. It is also highly valued as a gift from the Imperial Household Agency, and its quality and beauty continue to captivate many people.
Kutani ware techniques and styles
Color painting/Five-color hand painting:
The overglaze painting using the traditional Japanese pigments known as "Kutani Gosai"—green, yellow, purple, navy blue, and red—brings vivid colors to the works. It is characterized by painting pictorial and realistic motifs in the center and the use of colored enamels, with the highlight being the skilled brushwork in the painting.
Blue hand:
This style vividly applies green enamel paint on a bluish base, covering almost the entire surface without leaving any blank space on the base. It is characterized by bright coloration and dense tones, with bold designs spreading across the entire vessel.
Red painting:
It is a style that uses red enamel paint to perform detailed painting called "saibyō." It also makes extensive use of gold decorations, characterized by its gorgeous colors. In particular, the style known as "Kinrande," which features gold painting, is famous among red enamel works.
Dyeing:
This technique involves painting blue designs on white porcelain, allowing you to enjoy a subtle elegance and beauty different from colored-painted vessels. Since it is painted using a pigment called GOSU, a high level of skill is required, and one is captivated by its simplicity and craftsmanship.
Representative Kutani ware kilns and artists
Choza Yamamoto
Believing that "vessels come to life when used," he is particular about materials and design, creating calm and elegant vessels using delicate blue-and-white lines. Especially utilizing the traditional technique called "katauchi," he produces vessels that are astonishingly lightweight yet possess reliable strength. He has also received requests from the Imperial Household Agency, and his works have been highly praised, being used in the Enthronement Ceremony of the Emperor and for entertaining foreign dignitaries. His workshop is located in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, where he and his brother are responsible for painting and shaping, producing many works using the traditional "katauchi" technique.
Seika Suda
The first generation Suda Seika excelled in imitating antique styles such as sometsuke, shōzui, Annan, Iga, Wanli, old red painting, and old Kutani, creating works using unique techniques and designs. In Taisho 4 (1915), Kitaoji Rosanjin (later Fukuda Taikan) visited and received guidance in pottery, which became a turning point. The second generation Seika (Meiji 25 to Showa 46), the child of the first generation Suda Seika, succeeded the family business, followed by the third generation Seika (Taisho 5 to Showa 56) and the fourth generation Seika (Showa 15–), continuing the family line and inheriting the Kutani ware tradition. The Suda Seika kiln, through its history and techniques, still exists as a prestigious name in Kutani ware, cherishing the aesthetics of traditional craftsmanship.
Kamide Choemon Kiln
Founded in 1879 in Terai Village, Nomi District, Ishikawa Prefecture (now Terai Town, Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture), this kiln has a history of 130 years. It manufactures and sells art crafts, kaiseki tableware, and everyday tableware, with a particular focus on hand-painted works. In addition to traditional designs, it incorporates pop-style mascot character designs, making it popular across a wide range of generations.
Miyama Kiln
Miyama Kiln was founded in the late Meiji period as a Kutani ware painting kiln and is a renowned kiln that fuses traditional styles with modern sensibilities. Its works, based on Kutani Gosai, inherit over 360 years of tradition into the present day, combining beauty and practicality. In addition to creating vessels suited for uses such as cuisine and flower arrangements, it also undertakes reproductions of famous paintings by artists like Hokusai and Van Gogh, challenging new possibilities that Kutani ware holds.
Kutani Blue Kiln
"Kutani Seigama," a kiln opened in 1971 in Nomi City, southern Ishikawa Prefecture, is a gathering place for young potters who create everyday-use vessels while preserving traditional techniques. Their works have a unique style that is neither mass-produced nor purely artistic, establishing a new style of Kutani ware. This kiln is gaining attention as a bearer of the new era of Kutani ware with fans nationwide.
Modern Kutani ware
A wide range of items are made, from those with high value as crafts to those suitable for everyday use. New designs of vessels are born daily from kilns that cherish young sensibilities, such as "Kutani Seiyo." Additionally, many female artists who specialize in delicate painting are also active. On the other hand, plain vessels with only the rims painted before decoration are gaining attention for being simple and easy to use.
Kutani Pottery Market - Kutani Tea Bowl Festival
The "Kutani Chawan Festival" is a Kutani ware pottery market held in Nomi City, known as an early summer tradition in the region due to its rich variety and diverse appeal. It attracts about 180,000 visitors from both Japan and abroad, making it the largest event in the city. Around 50 shops set up booths in a special tent venue, where Kutani ware enthusiasts eagerly participate in search of bargains. The appeal lies in the opportunity to purchase products while directly interacting with artists and manufacturers, and visitors can personally check and select B-grade or imperfect items.
summary
Kutani ware is popular as an art piece and is highly artistic, but many casual and easy-to-use items are also made. It is enjoyable to gradually collect expensive pieces as commemorative items, and it is also recommended to incorporate modern Kutani ware into your everyday dining table.
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