Hotarude 蛍手
蛍 firefly · 手 technique
Also known as firefly technique
Hotarude (firefly technique) is a ceramic decoration in which the body is pierced with small holes that are then filled with clear glaze, so light shines through the cutouts. Held up to the light, the pattern glows softly like fireflies, which gives the technique its name. Rooted in Ming-dynasty China, it suits thin, light-transmitting porcelain fired with a high-temperature, slow-flowing transparent glaze.
Most hotarude uses small round cutouts, but some artisans carve lines instead, which open wider and are far harder to glaze cleanly — letting light leak through like rays through clouds. The effect is a vessel that holds its contents yet quietly shines when light falls on it.
