Kutani Porcelain Ware (古谷焼)

Japan’s handicrafts and pottery have exquisiteness and tell stories of patience and creativity.

Monday being a day with no specific topic but open to any topic in my WhatsApp group, I researched for handicrafts. I came across Kutani and was very curious and finally I felt this knowledge should be made known to those working in Japan and those aspiring for the same.

Therefore, I help you learn new things which teachers and textbook will never tell you about…. simply because “It’s not required for your exams or life.” Really?

Lets start out learning adventure about Kutani Porcelain of Japan!!

Kutani ware (九谷焼, くたにやき)

Kutani ware (九谷焼, くたにやき) ?is also written as 九谷焼 with the first kanji being same as the kanji for 9.

Kutani ware (九谷焼, くたにやき) is an exquisite traditional porcelainware which originated from Kaga city in Ishikawa Prefecture. (Recently this prefecture saw a huge earthquake on the New Year’s Day and is now recovering). This coloured artwork is now produced in Kanazawa, Komatsu, Kaga, and Mino cities in Ishikawa Prefecture. It predominantly uses 5 colours　called in Japanese as the gosaide (五採手/ごさいで) viz Red, blue, green yellow and purple.

Recognitions by the Government

In 1975, The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Now Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) recognised Japan’s handicrafts and pottery have exquisiteness and tell stories of patience and creativity.

Further three generations of Tokudaya Sokichi San and Yoshita Minori San were designated as Living National Treasures.

Kutani ware (九谷焼, くたにやき) - birth and development

Kutani ware (九谷焼, くたにやき) is name after its birthplace was(old) Kutani Village ??of the Enuma district in the country of Kaga. Presently it is Kutani Village of the Sanchuu Town in Kaga City of Ishikawa Prefecture. From the end of Edo Period, it was called Kutani Yaki or Kutani ware.

The beginning of Kutani ware has various theories but most prominent theory says Kutani ware started in the first year of the Meireki Era(1665) when during the mine excavation , the raw porcelain was found within the territory of Kutani Village. Thus began the Kutani ware production in Kutani village. The Kutani ware thus produced during the period was called Ko Kutani (古九谷―こくたに). But 50 years on, the production of Ko Kutani was abruptly stopped for reasons unknown.

??Kutani ware (九谷焼, くたにやき)- Restoration

The gap continued for nearly 100 years when no Kutani ware (九谷焼, くたにやき) were made. At the end of Edo Period, Kutani ware (九谷焼, くたにやき) production started in Kasukayamayou. Or Kasukayama Furnace.? The works were managed by one Aoki Heibei （青木木米―あおきもくべい）。He had the furnaces in 5 places and each of the place produced articles of a style distinct to it.

The production restarted using the skills and craftmanship of the traditional potter called the Kamamoto. The techniques of these artisans included overglazed pottery which was combined into a form called Saikou Kutani Ware. In the 19th century new and more complex styles called the Aka-e or red designs and Kinran-e or the gold designs became popular.

Presently the artistes have brought Kutani designs to make sneakers and USB Drives

Finally,?

The story of Kutani becomes more technical and difficult beyond this point and hence I stop here. I hope the information is helpful for you to get a beginners idea and would prod you to research more if you wish to know more.

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?