Japanese Folk Arts People dwell on true beauty…”functional beauty”…especially when it comes to a thing they use day after day. As the Taisho Era arrived, practical and popular objects of craftwork (shominteki kougeihin…abbreviated as “mingei”) which had a simplicity that…
History
The first ceramics in Japan: Jomon Ware The very first examples of earthenware in the world were produced 12,000 years ago in the form of Jomon Ware, Japan’s very first ceramic products. Various kinds of pottery were produced ranging from…
Visiting Japanese Kilns
by Robert Yellin (04 August 2009) Visiting Japan for many people usually turns out to be one the most memorable trips of a lifetime. Personally I’ve heard this time and time again, “the best trip of my life,” one person told…
Appreciating Japanese Ceramic
by Robert Yellin (19 August 2009) ArtIn pottery, as with life, sometimes the most basic questions are the most important: Why is this so? Or, how did this happen? Or, what does this part mean? What makes a fine Japanese pot…
Pottery Towns in Japan
We have unique and traditional pottery towns in Japan. You will find favorite places to visit from the following list.
Mashiko
Mashiko Ware: Characteristics Mashiko Ware centers on the concept of “Functional Beauty” It is said that Mashiko Ware began at the end of the Edo Era when Keisaburo Otsuka, who trained in Kasama, built a kiln. From that point onwards,…
Mashiko – Potter
Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) Hamada was a ceramicist who advocated the folk arts movement. He once wrote, “I found my way in Kyoto, began in Great Britain, learned in Okinawa and graduated in Mashiko”. In 1955, he was designated as the…
Mashiko – Photos
>> Characteristics >> Potter >> Travel Photos by Mashiko Town Tourist Association
Mashiko – Travel
Basic Information / Articles – Wikipedia – Wikitravel – About.com – iGuide – The Japan Times – Frommer’s – e-YAKIMONO.NET – Japan National Tourism Organization – Mashiko Town Tourist Association (Japanese) – Photos on flickr
Mino
Mino Ware: Characteristics Kizeto (Yellow Seto) This is a yellow pottery created in Mino during the Momoyama Era. Tableware such as pots and bowls, vases, incense burners and containers were created in this style with tableware being especially common. The…