Explanation of pottery information | From basic information to enjoying the artwork: pottery, porcelain, production areas, and techniques.
【Japanese pottery】What is Ceramics?
This blog explores the world of ceramics, covering its broad and narrow definitions, historical evolution, and different types—earthenware, stoneware, pottery, and porcelain. It explains their unique characteristics, including materials, firing temperatures, and uses. The article also touches on Japan’s rich ceramic history, from ancient earthenware to the refined porcelain of Arita.
【Japanese pottery】Pottery (陶器) vs. Porcelain (磁器): What’s the Difference?
This article delves into the key differences between pottery and porcelain, exploring variations in raw materials, production methods, textures, and heat conductivity. It highlights how these differences impact their applications, from teacups to cooking utensils, and provides insights into proper care for each type. Understanding these distinctions enhances appreciation for the unique qualities of both pottery and porcelain.
【Japanese Pottery】The Meaning of "Bone" and "China" in Bone China
Bone China is a type of porcelain that originated in 18th-century England as an alternative to Chinese and Japanese white porcelain. It contains bone ash, which enhances its whiteness and translucency. The name "Bone" refers to the bone ash used in its composition, while "China" signifies its inspiration from Chinese porcelain. This article explores the history, materials, and significance of Bone China in the world of ceramics.
【Japanese Pottery】Why Pottery Retains Heat Better.
Pottery retains heat better than porcelain due to its porous nature, which traps air and acts as insulation. This characteristic makes pottery ideal for items like tea bowls and clay pots, where gradual heating and prolonged warmth are desired. Unlike glass or metal, which heat up and cool down quickly, pottery’s ability to maintain warmth enhances its practical and aesthetic value in daily use.
【Japanese Pottery】Does each part of pottery have its own name? I will explain it in an easy-to-understand manner.
In ceramics, different parts of pottery and porcelain have names inspired by the human body, such as "mouth" (rim) and "waist" (lower section). Understanding these terms enhances appreciation for pottery craftsmanship and helps in discussing ceramic works. This article explores the names of various ceramic parts, including those specific to tea bowls, plates, and vases, providing insight into their functional and aesthetic significance.
【Japanese Pottery】What is Primary and Secondary Clays? An easy-to-understand explanation.
Clay used in ceramics is classified into primary and secondary clays. Primary clay remains in its original location, containing fewer impurities and appearing white, while secondary clay moves through natural forces, mixing with organic materials and often taking on a darker color. This classification influences the types of pottery produced in different regions. For example, Seto's abundant white clay enabled the development of glazed ceramics, shaping Japan’s diverse ceramic traditions.
【Japanese Pottery】Conditions for Large Clay Deposits
Clay deposits in Japan’s major ceramic regions are not only high-quality but also abundant. The accumulation of clay depends on natural factors such as river flow, geological shifts, and ancient lakebeds. Many famous kiln sites, including Bizen, Tokoname, and Echizen, are located near bodies of water or in valleys where clay naturally gathers over time. This geological history continues to shape Japan’s rich ceramic traditions.
【Japanese Pottery】What is Glaze (釉薬, yuyaku)? Explanation with diagrams.
Glaze, or yuyaku, is a glass-like coating applied to pottery and porcelain. Made from ingredients like ash, feldspar, clay, and silica, it adds color, strengthens the surface, and prevents staining. This article explains the roles and components of glaze, its interaction with clay, the types of natural and artificial glazes, and various traditional and creative glazing techniques used in Japanese ceramics.
【Japanese Pottery】Various types of glaze. Sōyū (総釉, sōgusuri) and Meato (目跡, meato) | Exposed Clay (土見せ, tsuchimise)
This article explores "sōgusuri" (fully glazed ceramics), where glaze is applied across the entire piece, and contrasts it with "tsuchimise" (exposed clay), where parts remain unglazed. It also explains "meato" (support marks), which result from placing clay, sand, or shells between the piece and kiln shelf to prevent sticking during firing. These elements play both functional and decorative roles, especially in traditional Japanese tea wares.
【Japan Classic】What is Underglaze and Overglaze (下絵と上絵)? With image-based explanations.
This article explains underglaze (shita-e) and overglaze (uwa-e) decoration techniques in Japanese ceramics. Underglaze involves painting beneath the glaze and firing at high temperatures, while overglaze is applied on top of the glaze and fired at lower temperatures to preserve delicate pigments like gold and red. Broader terms, yūkashoku (decorations under glaze) and yūjōshoku (decorations over glaze), include techniques like inlay and enamel painting.
【Japanese Pottery】Understanding “Scenery” in Japanese Ceramics: Glaze Effects & Kiln Transformations
This article delves into the uniquely Japanese concept of 景色 (keshiki) — the natural “scenery” created on ceramic surfaces by kiln firing. Learn how factors like glaze flow, kiln atmosphere, temperature, and even cracks produce unpredictable yet celebrated aesthetic variations. Explore why Japanese potters value these spontaneous kiln-born effects as defining character, contrasting with the uniform perfection prized in Chinese ceramics.
【Japanese Pottery】Understanding “Scenery” in Japanese Ceramics: Glaze Effects & Kiln Transformations
This article delves into the uniquely Japanese concept of 景色 (keshiki) — the natural “scenery” created on ceramic surfaces by kiln firing. Learn how factors like glaze flow, kiln atmosphere, temperature, and even cracks produce unpredictable yet celebrated aesthetic variations. Explore why Japanese potters value these spontaneous kiln-born effects as defining character, contrasting with the uniform perfection prized in Chinese ceramics.
【Japanese Pottery】Oxidation vs Reduction Firing: How Kiln Atmosphere Transforms Ceramics
This article explains the fundamental differences between oxidation and reduction firing in Japanese pottery. Discover how kiln atmosphere—oxygen‑rich (oxidation) versus oxygen‑poor (reduction)—affects clay body color, glaze reactions, and final surface effects. Learn how potters control damper settings, kiln placement, and fuel to achieve striking variations like green copper glaze in oxidation and red in reduction, plus the impact on white clay turning gray under reduction. Gain insights into kiln management for diverse ceramic outcomes.
【Japanese Pottery】Crackle (Kannyū) in Ceramics: Appreciating the Beauty of Glaze Cracks
This article explores the Japanese appreciation for 貫入 (kannyū)—the fine network of cracks that form in ceramic glazes during cooling. Learn how differences in thermal expansion between glaze and clay body create distinctive crackle patterns (e.g., ice‑crack, willow‑leaf, cow‑hair), and why these imperfections have been prized as decorative “scenery” since ancient times. Discover intentional crackle glazes like celadon and jakatsuyū, techniques for highlighting crackle with pigment, and the functional implications of crackle on absorption and longevity.
【Japanese Pottery】Kiln Transformations (Yōhen): Embracing Accidental Color in Ceramics
This article examines 窯変 (yōhen)—the spontaneous color changes ceramics undergo inside the kiln. Learn how factors like firing atmosphere (oxidation vs reduction), ash deposits, placement in multi‑chamber kilns, and glaze presence create unpredictable yet captivating surface effects. Discover classic examples such as Oribe’s green ash spots, Bizen’s smoky “sangiri” patches, and how potters intentionally harness these accidental colorations to enrich each piece’s individuality.
【Japanese Pottery】Rising‑Flame vs Falling‑Flame Kilns: Fire Movement & Firing Effects
This article compares two primary kiln classifications based on flame movement: 昇炎式 (rising‑flame) and 倒炎式 (falling‑flame), plus related variants like 半倒炎式 (横炎式) and 直炎式. Understand how flame paths—from bottom‑up in rising‑flame kilns to ceiling‑bounce and downward flows in falling‑flame kilns—impact heat distribution, atmosphere control, and unique surface effects in Japanese ceramics. Learn examples (noborigama, anagama, coal kilns, raku kilns) and practical kiln loading strategies for desired firing outcomes.
【Japanese Pottery】Anagama Kiln (穴窯): Japan’s Ancient Single‑Chamber Kiln and Its Unique Firing Effects
This article explores the history, structure, and firing characteristics of the anagama (穴窯), Japan’s oldest kiln type dating back to the 5th century. Learn how its half‑subterranean, single‑chamber design (横炎式) produces dramatic ash deposits, dynamic kiln transformations, and intensely individualistic results. Compare anagama to the multi‑chamber noborigama, understand firing duration, fuel efficiency, and why potters prize the unpredictable “yohen” effects and deep ash glazes only anagama can achieve.
【Japanese Pottery】Large Pit Kiln (Ōgama): Evolution, Structure & Unique Firing Dynamics
This article examines the Ōgama (大窯), Japan’s large single‑chamber, semi‑subterranean kiln used from the late 15th century to today. Positioned between ancient pit kilns and multi‑chamber noborigama, Ōgama features multiple smoke‑dividing pillars that disperse and intensify flame throughout its wide firing chamber. Learn how its design increases heat distribution and firing efficiency compared to traditional anagama, why its scale varies from modest to monumental (up to 80 m long), and why Ōgama declined once noborigama offered superior economy and consistency.
【Japanese Pottery】Noborigama Kiln: Japan’s Iconic Multi‑Chamber Climbing Kiln and Its Firing Mastery
This article explores the noborigama (登窯), introduced to Japan in the late 16th century via Karatsu and widely adopted nationwide by the early Edo period. As a multi‑chamber (連房式) climbing kiln built on slopes, noborigama reuses heat efficiently from one chamber to the next, enabling precise temperature and atmosphere control (oxidation vs. reduction) for diverse firing effects. Learn about its variants—including split‑bamboo (割竹式) and single‑chamber snake kilns—and why contemporary potters continue to prize noborigama for its balance of productivity, consistency, and unique wood‑fired character.
【Japanese Pottery】Snake Kiln (Jagama): Japan’s Elongated Single‑Chamber Climbing Kiln
This article explores the snake kiln (蛇窯)—also called teppō‑gama (鉄砲窯) or ryūgama (龍窯)—a single‑chamber, elongated climbing kiln introduced in the 15th century. Unlike multi‑chamber noborigama, snake kilns feature a long rectangular footprint with side stoke holes to ensure even heat distribution across their narrow width. Learn firing techniques for managing flame flow and oxygen, specialized small-scale designs for natural ash glazes, and notable examples like the 47 m Tamba Tachikui kiln revered as a cultural asset.
【Japanese Pottery】Kakugama (Square Kiln): Japan’s Coal‑Fueled Falling‑Flame Kiln
This article examines the kakugama (角窯), a rectangular falling‑flame kiln introduced in the Meiji era based on German coal kiln designs. Unlike fuel‑intensive climbing kilns, kakugama uses coal (and later oil or gas) for efficient, uniform firing without requiring a slope. Learn how multiple fireboxes and dome ceilings deliver consistent temperature distribution, lower operating costs, and precise atmosphere control, making kakugama ideal for mass production and modern studio use.
【Japanese Pottery】Tokkuri‑gama (Bottle‑Open Kiln): Japan’s Rising‑Flame Industrial Kiln
This article examines the tokkuri‑gama (徳利窯), a rising‑flame bottle‑shaped kiln introduced from Britain in the 18th century and used in Japan from the late 19th century until the 1960s. Featuring a central cylindrical firing chamber surrounded by a protective “coat,” multiple fireboxes, and adjustable ventilation holes, tokkuri‑gama delivered efficient heat retention and flexible atmosphere control. Originally coal‑fired and later oil or gas, its compact design enabled industrial-scale brick and ceramic production before being replaced by continuous tunnel kilns.
【Japanese Pottery】Overglaze Kiln (Uwae‑gama): Mastering Low‑Fire Decoration in Japanese Ceramics
This article explores the overglaze kiln (上絵窯), developed in early Edo Japan to fire delicate overglaze decoration (赤絵・錦手) at low temperatures (600–800°C). Learn how its double‑walled design shields ceramics from direct flame—preventing soot, scorching, and unwanted kiln effects—and why precise temperature control is essential to avoid melting pigments. Discover the evolution of fuels from wood to coal, oil, and today’s electric kilns, and why modern studios favor electric overglaze kilns for consistent, clean, and controlled low‑fire decoration.
【Japanese Pottery】Rakugama Kiln: The Intimate Rising‑Flame Kiln for Masterful Tea Bowls
This article examines the rakugama (楽窯), a small single‑chamber rising‑flame kiln developed in the Momoyama period for firing Raku ware—one‑of‑a‑kind tea bowls championed by Sen no Rikyū and crafted by Chōjirō’s lineage for over 400 years. Learn about its cylindrical, three‑panel design, adjustable ventilation holes, and use of charcoal to achieve distinctive reduction effects. Discover why rakugama’s compact size yields intense variability, demanding exceptional skill yet enabling creation of profoundly individual ceramic works.
【Japanese Pottery】Brick Kiln (Senga‑gama): Ancient Chinese‑Style Semi‑Reversal Firing for Deep Reduction Effects
This article explores the brick kiln (磚窯), a semi‑subterranean, falling‑flame kiln originating in ancient China and still used today for producing intensely reduced black bricks and ceramics. Learn how its design—featuring water injection ports to create a forced reduction atmosphere at high temperatures (~900°C)—yields unique surface effects and unpredictable “yohen” color variations. Discover modern adaptations that replace water with gas control for safer, more consistent reduction firing in contemporary studios.
【Japanese Pottery】Shuttle Kiln (台車窯): Modern Mobile Kiln with Enhanced Efficiency
This article explores the shuttle kiln (シャトル窯), a modern mobile kiln featuring a wheeled cart system that revolutionizes the loading and unloading process. By eliminating the need for inclined internal shelving, shuttle kilns offer spacious, accessible work areas that significantly improve firing efficiency and reduce downtime between firings. Adaptable to various fuels including gas, oil, and even electricity, their design maximizes both productivity and fuel savings, making them ideal for both small studios and large-scale production.
【Japan Classic】Tunnel Kilns (トンネル窯) & Roller Hearth Kilns (ローラーハース窯): Revolutionizing Ceramic Mass Production
This article examines modern tunnel kilns (トンネル窯), introduced around the 1920s in Japan, which enabled efficient mass production by integrating preheating, firing, and cooling processes. It also discusses how roller hearth kilns (ローラーハース窯), introduced in the 1970s, further improved efficiency by replacing trolleys with motorized rollers.
【Japan Classic】Shichirin Ceramic Kilns (七輪陶芸の窯): The Ascending Flame Method (昇炎式) for Artisan Firing
This article discusses the modern use of shichirin kilns (七輪陶芸の窯) employing the ascending flame method (昇炎式). It highlights their ease of setup, portability, low smoke output, and fuel efficiency using readily available charcoal, while noting challenges like production variability and limited batch size.
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