Characteristics of Kutani ware

The attraction of Kutani ware is all color painting decoration, it can not tell Kutani ware away from painting.

Based on Kutani Five colors (red · yellow · green · purple · iron blue), it develops mainly with green, yellow and purple, and the depth of the color born due to the overlapping of the sunken colors will bring out a heavy taste .

Next, it is said that the brilliant charm of kutani-ware is in its brush. Exquisite harmony is kept with powerful outline drawing and thick paint. Thanks to this sense of color and brushstrokes, we create a gorgeous decorative color porcelain, expressing the world of Kutani.

History of Kutani

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Kutaniyaki is said to have been made for the first time in "kutani village” in the early Edo era, in 1655, Feudal lord "Ryoji Maeda" ordered clan Gotō Saijirō member of Maeda clan.

Then, in the kiln of Gotō Saijirō, what was burned for about 50 years is now called old kutani (古九谷ko-kutani) and it is regarded as the origin of Kutaniyaki.

after that,Although it is a closed Kutani kiln, about 80 years later, the Kasugayama kiln was opened in Kanazawa in Kaga clan, tried to reproduce ko-kutani, and entered the revival Kutani era.

the next few decades, Many kilns, such as Mokubei style of kasugayama, Yoshidaya style aiming for revival of ko-Kutani, Iidaya style,Shoza sytle, etc., appeared, and they produced a splendid style in each of them.

Then, after the Expo in Vienna in 1868, the paintings of Shozo Kutani became famous, a large amount of Kutani pottery was exported as trade, and its name will spread to the world as "Japan Kutani".

Even now, it is used as a gift of the Imperial Household Agency, and it is widely used by famous people overseas.
Also in Japan, Living National Treasure" Yoshida minori" besides various Kutaniyaki authors have polished their own technologies, cultivate Kutani pottery with a brilliant and elegant color, ranging from everyday items to art objects, while continuing its tradition, it is further developing.


Process of Kutani ware

We will introduce the process of making Kutani ware. A craftsman and a writer put in the spirit and complete one work. Please have a look at the traditional techniques that were inherited.

STEP1  Stone Crushing

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Porcelain stone from Komatsu

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Crush the stone finely.

STEP2  Clay making・Kneading

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The crushed stone is soaked in water,and then made into clay of just the right consistency.

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The clay is kneaded to get rid of air bubbles and make it smooth.

STEP3  Forming

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Molding by hand

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the piece is formed using a wheel.hand building,molding or slab techniques.

STEP4  Drying & trimming

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The form is finished by means of detailed work including trimming of the foot rim

STEP5  Bisque firing

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The work is fired at about 800℃ for many hours to harden it.

STEP6  Underglazing (blue and white)

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Cobalt pigment is used to draw a design,and a transparent glaze is applied.

STEP7  Glazing

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Make glaze evenly on the surface. After firing, the glaze becomes vitreous and transparent, covering the surface of the ceramic.

STEP8  High-temperature firing

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The work is fired at a temperature of about 1,300℃ to make the glaze transparent.

STEP9  Overglazing

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After lines are drawn with ink,overglaze is applied.

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Each artist's painting technique is used, and unique decoration is done.

STEP4  Overglaze firing/ gilt firing

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The work is fired at a temperature of about 750-1,000℃ and retired if gold or silver is used.

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Depending on the product, fire it for 4 hours to a maximum of 10 hours, complete it.

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How to use Kutani ware

In order to use Kutani ware for a long time, I will introduce an important care method. In order to prevent scratches and dirt from adhering to your favorite pottery, it is easy to clean. Please read through.

How to care for Kutaniyaki

Before using・・・

If the material is a pot of pottery (soil), do not use as it is, soak in hot water once, let's boil. Beforehand the moisture is sufficiently contained in the base material and then dried and you use it, the surface of the water-absorbing remainder will be coated, soiling of tea or spots and smell will become difficult. It is said that it is even more effective if boiled by putting a handful of rice together with the vessel when boiling.

Also, if you use sashimi etc before using it with ice water before use, it will be difficult for the fish to smell.

After using・・・

Please wash as soon as possible after use. It is best to use commercially available neutral detergent diluted. It is important to wash gently with a soft sponge jacket, so wash it with detergent or nylon scrub, as it may hurt the pattern part of the instrument, please wash it off. Although it is also possible to use a dishwasher, we recommend hand washing as much as possible because there are things that are easy to peel off when used for a long time, such as gold or silver products.

It is also important to wash thoroughly thoroughly after washing. By wiping off moisture firmly with a dry cloth, you can prevent mold and smell. It is good to wipe the picture part with the extent of holding it without rubbing it.

How to use kutani ware

How to use tableware・・・

● Please do not use microwave oven, product using gold or silver. Sparks may be scattered, causing dirt and damage on the surface.

● Thin cups and cups, please note that the surface is easy to heat.

● Please refrain from directly applying fire to products that have adhesively bonded products (ceramics and metals, glass) etc, or refrain from using microwave oven, dish dryer. It may cause malfunction of the adhesive surface.

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How to use vases, decorations and ornaments ...

● Respecting beauty, there are times when you are using coloring decorative paint. Please do not use as dishes.

● If you feel bad in stability, such as decorative dishes, ornamental objects, please be careful not to install it safely.

● When storing, especially gold / silver accessories, lightly wipe with a soft cloth, gently remove dirt and store carefully, you can use it for a long time.

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