Kutani ware
Encyclopedia
is a style of Japanese porcelain Gotō Saijirō, a member of the Maeda clan
, set up a kiln
in the village of Kutani (now part of the city of Kaga) on the order of Maeda Toshiharu, ruler of the Kaga domain
. The porcelain style is known for multiple colors—such as greens, blues, yellows, purples, and reds—and bold designs covering most of the surface of each piece.
. The first kiln was set up at the present-day Yamanaka Onsen Kutani in the city, upon discovery of high-quality potter's clay in the area. It was then known as kokutani, with bold-coloured designs characterized by its motifs of birds, flowers, mountains and water. Maeda Toshiharu ordered Gotō Saijirō to go to Arita
in Saga Prefecture
to learn how to make porcelain. Maeda did this to increase his political and personal fortune. Recently, a theory has been put forward that most or all of the Kokutani ware was actually created in Arita rather than just influenced by the ceramics being created there.
Kokutani enjoyed popularity for the next few decades until the Kutani suddenly closed down in 1730. The reasons for this closure are debated. Theories put forward include that supplies of the pigments necessary for the glazing were difficult to find, or that there were financial difficulties. This period of production is now referred to as the .
In 1810 - some 80 years later - kutaniyaki was re-established, with the help of several kamamoto or production potters. New overglaze painting techniques from various kamamoto-es were infused in the development of kutaniyaki. 6 different overglazing techniques dominate the new form of kutaniyaki: the Mokubei style, influenced by Chinese
ink painting
techniques. The colours of green, yellow, purple and dark blue form the basis of the Yoshidaya style. Contrasting the Yoshidaya is the Eiraku style, with its simplistic coatings of gold on the first coat of red colour. The Iidaya style, or the Hachirode breaks away from the conventional nature-themed kutani style, with minute paintings of human figures on a red - gold mix background. The Shoza style is a blend of all four techniques of overglazing.
A memorial to Gotō has been erected near an old Kutani ware kiln in the city of Kaga. The style of producing Kutani was named a traditional craft in 1975. There are now several hundred companies which produce Kutani ware.
Maeda clan
The was a branch of the Sugawara clan who descended from Sugawara no Kiyotomo and Sugawara no Michizane in the eighth and ninth centuries. It was one of the most powerful samurai families in Japan and they were second only to the Tokugawa clan in rice production and fief size...
, set up a 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...
in the village of Kutani (now part of the city of Kaga) on the order of Maeda Toshiharu, ruler of the Kaga domain
Kaga Domain
The was a powerful feudal domain in Kaga, Noto and Etchū Provinces of Japan during the Edo period. The domain was founded by Maeda Toshiie and headed by the Maeda clan. Its income rating, over 1,000,000 koku, was the highest in the nation after the Tokugawa shogunate itself...
. The porcelain style is known for multiple colors—such as greens, blues, yellows, purples, and reds—and bold designs covering most of the surface of each piece.
History
Kutaniyaki was first produced in 1655 in the city of KagaKaga, Ishikawa
is a city located in the southwest of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.Created as an old temple town, the city was greatly developed by the Maeda clan in the early Edo period...
. The first kiln was set up at the present-day Yamanaka Onsen Kutani in the city, upon discovery of high-quality potter's clay in the area. It was then known as kokutani, with bold-coloured designs characterized by its motifs of birds, flowers, mountains and water. Maeda Toshiharu ordered Gotō Saijirō to go to Arita
Arita, Saga
is a town located in Nishimatsuura District, Saga, Japan. It is known for producing Arita porcelain, one of the traditional handicrafts of Japan. It also holds the largest ceramic fair in Western Japan, the Arita Ceramic Fair...
in Saga Prefecture
Saga Prefecture
is located in the northwest part of the island of Kyūshū, Japan. It touches both the Sea of Japan and the Ariake Sea. The western part of the prefecture is a region famous for producing ceramics and porcelain, particularly the towns of Karatsu, Imari, and Arita...
to learn how to make porcelain. Maeda did this to increase his political and personal fortune. Recently, a theory has been put forward that most or all of the Kokutani ware was actually created in Arita rather than just influenced by the ceramics being created there.
Kokutani enjoyed popularity for the next few decades until the Kutani suddenly closed down in 1730. The reasons for this closure are debated. Theories put forward include that supplies of the pigments necessary for the glazing were difficult to find, or that there were financial difficulties. This period of production is now referred to as the .
In 1810 - some 80 years later - kutaniyaki was re-established, with the help of several kamamoto or production potters. New overglaze painting techniques from various kamamoto-es were infused in the development of kutaniyaki. 6 different overglazing techniques dominate the new form of kutaniyaki: the Mokubei style, influenced by Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
ink painting
Ink and wash painting
Ink and wash painting is an East Asian type of brush painting also known as ink wash painting. Only black ink — the same as used in East Asian calligraphy — is used, in various concentrations....
techniques. The colours of green, yellow, purple and dark blue form the basis of the Yoshidaya style. Contrasting the Yoshidaya is the Eiraku style, with its simplistic coatings of gold on the first coat of red colour. The Iidaya style, or the Hachirode breaks away from the conventional nature-themed kutani style, with minute paintings of human figures on a red - gold mix background. The Shoza style is a blend of all four techniques of overglazing.
A memorial to Gotō has been erected near an old Kutani ware kiln in the city of Kaga. The style of producing Kutani was named a traditional craft in 1975. There are now several hundred companies which produce Kutani ware.