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Crockery
Kinds of Japanese ceramics
Features of manufacture
Ceramic items are produced in many regions of Japan and the clays differ from each other very much in these manufacturing centers. Every factory also works up into its own glaze for given clay.
There are four sorts of kilns: electric, gas, kerosene and wood one. Each of them has its own features and each factory applies its own methods of baking.
Japanese ceramic items could be divided into four main sorts. They are faience, porcelain, coarse ceramics and earthenware crockery. Here one can see the main features and differences of these sorts:
| |
faience |
porcelain |
coarse ceramics |
earthenware crockery |
| clay |
potter's clay |
porcelain clay |
a cross between potter's and porcelain clay |
potter's clay |
| glaze |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
| baking temperature |
900-1250ºС |
1300ºС |
1200ºС |
800ºС |
| hygroscopicity |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
| main centers of manufacture |
everywhere |
Arita, Imari, Kutanii, Shigaraki, Kiyomizu, Seto, Minno, Tobe |
Bizen, Tokoname, Shigaraki, Banko, Iga |
Jomon period; flowerpots |
Brief history of Japanese ceramics
Japanese ceramics is rooted in so-called earthenware with bean pattern. Japanese began to make it by sticking together clay balls. It was about 10 000 years ago. Then so-called wares with rope pattern appeared. Wares were mould from the clay elongated in shape of rope, and were baked outdoor at low temperature - about 500-800ºC.
During Kofun period the Korean technologies began to permeate. Japanese began to mould ceramic ware on potter's wheel and bake them in long (about 10 meters in length) kilns where temperature ran up to 1100-1200 C. This technology spread to all Japan excepting Hokkaido Island. It was the beginning of porcelain-and-faience manufacturing.
Heian Period (794-1185)
Ceramics of Tokoname, Bizen, Tamba, Shigaraki, Etizen appeared. From the end of Heian Period till Momoyama period Japanese went on to bake ordinary unglazed wares in pits which served as kilns.
Kamakura Period (1185-1333)
At the beginning of this period ceramic wares of Seto appeared.
Muromachi Period (1336-1573)
At the end of this period ceramic wares of Karatsu and Oribe appeared.
Ajuchi-Momoyama Period (1568-1600)
At the end of this period Chinese porcelain came in Japan (Imari, Nabesima, Kutani). Porcelain producing began in Kyo and Hagi.
Edo Period (1603-1867)
At the beginning of this period Japanese began to apply stepped kilns, which allowed to bake at higher temperatures. Potters began to produce glazed wares with a lot of decor techniques.
Meiji Period - up-to-date
Appearance of tunnel and circular kilns greatly shortened the baking time. And mechanization made repetition work of ceramics possible.
Features of ceramics of the six oldest Japanese porcelain-and-faience factories
Ceramics of Shigaraki
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1. Shigaraki (Prefecture Shiga)
The main feature of the clay is a lot of granules of feldspar and well appearance of ruby color. Shigaraki is one of the oldest Japanese porcelain-and-faience factories and has 1250-years history. In 742 the Emperor Seibu started to build a palace in Shigaraki. There he baked a tile and a cap him-self. Since that time the manufacturing of large and small ceramic wares lasts in Shigaraki. These are jugs, various vessels, braziers, flowerpots etc.
During Muromachi and Ajuchi-Momoyama Periods the factory produced a lot of tea ware. During Edo Period manufacturing of tea-caddies increased. As the commerce developed, the producing of wares for daily use grew. These were vessels for soybean paste, small bottles for sake, earthen pots etc. During Meiji Period the factory started to produce a glaze. Till the middle of 1950s Shigaraki manufactured about 80% of all hibachi (brazier) in Japan. Later on the factory started to put out various vases. Now Shigaraki produces stands for umbrellas, glaze, table services, lamps, crockery, and table adornments.
Ceramics of Tokoname
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2. Tokoname (Prefecture Aichi)
The main feature of the clay is large arenaceous granules. Color is from hazel to brown. Shine is faint.
Manufacture exists since the end of Heian Period (XII century). On the Chita peninsula with the central Tokoname city pits for baking were created in all parts. The wares had natural brown color. Now the factory produces various wares as vases, table adornment, goods for gardeners, crockery etc.
Ceramics of Seto
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3. Seto (Prefecture Aichi)
During Kamakura-Muromachi Period Seto was the single place where glazed wares of high quality were produced. Glazing technology gained ground at the factory Minno. Now the factory produces porcelain-and-faience crockery, table adornment and goods of building and industrial function.
Ceramics of Bizen
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4. Bizen (Prefecture Okayama)
The clay is the most dense and viscous. The main color is deep-brown but in result of baking could get ruby color. Also has rather strong shine.
Ceramics of Tamba
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5. Tamba (Prefecture Hiogo)
Its density is next to the clay of Bizen. After baking the wares get bright brown color. Shine well.
6. Etizen (Prefecture Fukui)
The clay looks like one of Tokoname. After baking has little shine.
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