Bizen-yaki
Encyclopedia
is a type of Japanese pottery
most identifiable by its ironlike hardness, reddish brown color, absence of glaze, and markings resulting from wood-burning kiln
firing.
Bizen is named after the village of Imbe in Okayama prefecture
, formerly known as Bizen province
. This artwork is Japan's oldest pottery making technique, introduced in the Heian period
. Bizen is one of the six remaining kilns of medieval Japan.
Bizen clay bodies have a high iron content and, traditionally, much organic matter that is unreceptive to glazing. The clay can take many forms.
The surface treatments of Bizen wares are entirely dependent on yohen, or "kiln effects." Pine ash produces goma, or "sesame seed" glaze spotting. Rice straw wrapped around pieces creates red and brown scorch marks. The placement of pieces in a kiln causes them to be fired under different conditions, with a variety of different results. Considering that one clay body and type of firing is used, the variety of results is remarkable.
Because of the clay composition, Bizen wares are fired slowly over a long period of time. Firings take place only once or twice a year. They require the wood fire to be kept burning for 10-14 days involving long hours and tons of wood.
Japanese pottery
Japanese pottery and porcelain , one of the country's oldest art forms, dates back to the Neolithic period...
most identifiable by its ironlike hardness, reddish brown color, absence of glaze, and markings resulting from wood-burning kiln
Kiln
A kiln is a thermally insulated chamber, or oven, in which a controlled temperature regime is produced. Uses include the hardening, burning or drying of materials...
firing.
Bizen is named after the village of Imbe in Okayama prefecture
Okayama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Okayama.- History :During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.- Geography :...
, formerly known as Bizen province
Bizen Province
was a province of Japan on the Inland Sea side of Honshū, in what is today the southeastern part of Okayama Prefecture. It was sometimes called , with Bitchu and Bingo Provinces. Bizen borders Mimasaka, Harima, and Bitchū Provinces....
. This artwork is Japan's oldest pottery making technique, introduced in the Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
. Bizen is one of the six remaining kilns of medieval Japan.
Bizen clay bodies have a high iron content and, traditionally, much organic matter that is unreceptive to glazing. The clay can take many forms.
The surface treatments of Bizen wares are entirely dependent on yohen, or "kiln effects." Pine ash produces goma, or "sesame seed" glaze spotting. Rice straw wrapped around pieces creates red and brown scorch marks. The placement of pieces in a kiln causes them to be fired under different conditions, with a variety of different results. Considering that one clay body and type of firing is used, the variety of results is remarkable.
Because of the clay composition, Bizen wares are fired slowly over a long period of time. Firings take place only once or twice a year. They require the wood fire to be kept burning for 10-14 days involving long hours and tons of wood.
External links
- e-yakimono.nethttp://www.e-yakimono.net/
- Handbook for the Appreciation of Japanese Traditional Craftshttp://www.nihon-kogeikai.com/TEBIKI-E.html
- Bizen Gallery Aoyamahttp://www.bizenpottery.com/bizen-eshopping.html in English and Japanese