Kutani Ware
Kutani ware is a pottery produced in the Kaga region of Ishikawa Prefecture and it has a history of over 350 years.
It is characterized by the heavy brilliance of the five colors of green, yellow, red, purple, and navy blue that are applied to the bold and daring lines.
Its long history has evolved through the tireless efforts and enthusiasm of people who have sought innovation while maintaining tradition.
The beauty of the various styles and methods of painting is known as "Japan Kutani" and is highly regarded around the world.
What is Kutani Ware?
Kutani ware is characterized by its colorful overglaze called "Gosai (five-colored)." The brilliant overglaze painting is unique to each kiln, and every kiln has its own unique style of painting. The clay used for Kutani ware is both ceramic and porcelain, each with its own unique qualities, and both offer vivid colors.
Although its production once ceased in the start of the 18th century, Kutani ware was revived 100 years later and once again thrived as a craft as multiple kilns opened and specialized in generating their own unique styles. During the Meiji Period (1868-1912), the technique of applying gold patterns called "Kinrande," in addition to the five colors of painting, was developed and attracted worldwide attention under the name of "Japan Kutani." Kutani ware continues to evolve while keeping in touch with its traditional roots.
Through its long history, Kutani ware has safeguarded traditional techniques and styles while embracing modern advancements.
Kutani ware was introduced in 1655 during the early years of the Edo period (c.1603-1867) by Toshiharu Maeda, the first lord of the Kaga-Daishoji Domain. Upon the discovery of pottery stones at the Kutani gold mine, a kiln was built in Kutani village to produce porcelain, which gave Kutani ware its name.
The kiln in Kutani Village was so successful that it became a landmark of the Kaga-Daishoji Domain, but was closed down about 50 years after its opening. Kutani ware produced during this short period of time is known as "Ko-Kutani (old Kutani)" and is treasured as the foundation of Japanese colored porcelain with its rich and colorful overglaze painted in the signature five colors of ultramarine blue, red, purple, green and yellow.
Several theories exist regarding the reason for the early closure of the kiln; the demise of Maeda Toshiharu, economic difficulties resulting from famine, contention within the domain, and interference by the Tokugawa shogunate. The details still remain a mystery.
About 100 years after the closure of the Kutani Village kiln, a significant number of new kilns producing overglaze porcelain reopened under the endorsement of the Maeda family. The production of Kutani ware was revived and is known as "The Revival of Kutani." These new kilns created new styles using new techniques to manufacture exquisite colorful overglaze porcelain and Sometsuke porcelain. And the diverse elements of these styles from differing kilns came together to form new styles and designs in the modern era after the Meiji period (1868-1912).
For further details on the history of Kutani ware, please read our interview with Shin-ichi Nakaya, Director of The Kutani porcelain Art Museum.
1655 | Kutani kiln opened in Kutani Village by order of Maeda Toshiharu, the first feudal lord of the Daishoji Domain. |
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1656 | Iroe porcelain was fired at the Kutani kiln. |
1807 | Under the guidance of Aoki Mokubei, the Kasugayama kiln opened on Mt. Utatsu, Kanazawa. |
1811 | Teikichi Honda discovered pottery stones in Hanasaka Village (present-day Komatsu City) and started the Wakasugi Kiln. |
1819 | Rokuemon Yabu established Ono kiln. |
1824 | Yoshidaya Denemon built Yoshidaya kiln in the former Kutani Village, and moved the kiln to Echuya in Yamashiro after a little over a year. |
1831 | Miyamotoya Uemon managed and took over Yoshidaya kiln, and invited Iidaya Hachiroemon to open Miyamoto kiln. |
1841 | Shozo Kutani opened the Terai Kiln in Terai Village (present-day Nomi City). |
1848 | The Matsuyama kiln was opened under the Daishoji clan's management. |
1860 | The Daishoji clan purchased the Miyamoto kiln and established the Kutani Hon Kiln. |
1865 | The Daishojii clan invited Eiraku Wazen from Kyoto to the Kutani Hon Kiln. |
1873 | Kutani ware was exhibited at the Vienna World's Fair. |
1876 | Kutani ware was exhibited at the Philadelphia World's Fair. |
1878 | Exhibited at the Paris Exposition |
1908 | Kutani Tea Bowl Festival begins |
1975 | Kutani ware was recognized as a traditional craft by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (present-day Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) |
1997 | Held the "Kutani International Decorative Ceramics Competition '97." |
2004 | Created lead-free overglaze enamel for Kutani ware porcelain |
2004 | Exhibited at the 1st Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale |
2005 | Exhibited at Maison & Objet, Paris |
2009 | Obtained the regional collective trademark "Kutaniyaki" |
2016 | Held the 360th annual exhibition of Kutani ware, the "Essence of Iroe" |
2018 | Held the 2nd Japanese craft exhibition in China "Kutani Ware 2018" |
Ko-Kutani
Mokubei
Sometsuke
Yoshidaya
Akae-Saibyo "Iidaya"
Akae-Kinrande "Eiraku"
Other Designs
Ko-Kutani
Ko-Kutani is the name given to Kutani ware that has been popular in the Kutani region since ancient times and has been passed down as a model for many Kutani ware designs. The so-called Kutani Gosai (five colors) of dark blue, purple, yellow, green, and red are used in the painting, which is called "Gosai-de." There is also "Ao-te," which does not use red among the five colors and is filled in with paint.
Ko-Kutani is characterized by the bold brush strokes that overwhelm the viewer and the profound colors, and motifs such as flowers, birds, winds, and the moon, landscapes, and figures are often used.
Mokubei
It is one of the traditional patterns representing Kutani, which was created under the guidance of Kyoto potter Aoki Mokubei to revive Kutani ware, beginning in the 1650s. The entire surface is painted red, depicting figures and other objects in Kutani's five colors.
Many of these works are designed in a harmonious manner with paintings of people and white elephants. Works depicting Karako–children in Chinese hairstyles and clothing playing, etc., are also common, and hold a charm that offers its audience a sense of tranquility.
Sometsuke
Sometsuke is a technique that features the single color of indigo blue painting on white porcelain, which displays simple beauty and elegance. It is created by first painting patterns and designs on unglazed porcelain with a cobalt oxide pigment called Gosu, then is coated with a transparent glaze and fired to complete the production process. The varying shades of indigo blue created by the delicate yet bold brushstrokes unique to Sometsuke, bestow a sense of depth to the painted designs.
View ItemsYoshidaya
The Yoshidaya kiln, which gave birth to the Yoshidaya style, was opened in 1824 by Toyoda Denemon to revive Ko-Kutani ware.Yoshidaya style's charm is its use of translucent pigment and delicate painting style, as well as its refined, extremely skillfully-drawn pictures. It is painted and covered with yellow glaze–the elaborate and fast brushwork bringing a lightness to the painting.
Akae-Saibyo "Iidaya"
Akae-saibyo literally means "fine painting in red." The technique of drawing multiple patterns with fine lines are absolutely mesmerising. The motif tightly drawn with lines and dots projects shades and depths, creating a sense of perspective.
A craftsman named Iidaya Hachiroemon of the Miyamoto Kiln produced many excellent works in the Akae style, which came to be known as the Iidaya style. The design centered around Chinese artifacts, and many of them were in line with cultural taste of the time.
Akae-Kinrande "Eiraku"
Akae-kinrande is a gorgeous, sophisticated, and graceful style of Kutani ware. It has a gold design with a red background. Eiraku Wazen, the master craftsman who created this gorgeous technique, studied Kyo ware in Kyoto and generously passed on his skills to Kutani ware craftsmen. The beautiful fusion of fine red painting from the earlier Iidaya style with the elegant and sophisticated style of Kyo ware.
View ItemsModern Designs
Kutani ware, characterized by its vivid patterns, has undergone changes over the 360 years since its birth, incorporating various cultures. Styles of Kutani ware created after the Meiji period include Hanazume, Gold Yuri-kinsai, Silver Yuri-ginsai, Aochibu, and Mohitsu Saiji.
The elegant and flamboyant designs that fit the times have captured the hearts of many people and contributed to Kutani ware's current popularity.
The Process of Making Kutani ware
Kutani ware, while its vivid hues and bold patterns set it apart among Japanese ceramics, is produced through many processes: quarrying, clay making, molding, firing, underglaze painting, and overglaze painting. These processes require a high level of skill and artisans pour their heart and soul into perfecting every single piece. The traditional techniques of Kutani ware have been handed down from generation to generation.
Read ArticleKOKUZOU KILN
GINSHU KILN
ATELIER YU
SEIKOU KILN
BIZAN KILN
HIRACLE
HAREKUTANI
KINZAN KILN
CHOEMON KILN
HANASAKA
SOUKYU KILN
UTSUTSU KILN
SOURAKUAN KILN
TAISHI KILN
BITOUEN
HACHI-KUTANI
CHIE SAKURAI
YONEDA YUZAN KILN
CHOHO KILN
Atelier Yu
Their atelier is specialized in Kutani ware painting performed by female artisans. Their artisans work hard every day at the foot of the sacred Hakusan mountain surrounded by sounds of breeze of singing birds. While focusing on the traditional colors called Kutani gosai (five colors), they add the sweetness of women to our pottery, hoping to bring a smile to everyone who use it. Their "Cat in sunny spot" series is one of the most popular item.
View ItemsKutani Choemon Kiln
KEIGO KAMIDE / The 6th generation of Kutani Choemon Kiln
He aims to create universal and fresh expressions based on the history of Kiln, which began in the Orient, and to pass on Kutani ware to the present with flexible ideas that are not limited by tradition or boundaries. His products are very popular in Japan because of its traditional patterns arranged in a unique way.
Kinzan Kiln
Kinzan kiln was established in 1906 and has continued to produce Kutani ware for about 110 years. Among the traditional techniques of Kutani ware, the Kiln especially excels in kinsai, glaze painting with gold. In addition to the traditional techniques and innovative trials by artists, Kinzan kiln continues to create a new world of colorful Kutani ware by exploring various techniques and materials.
View ItemsKokuzou Kiln
Their atelier is located at the foot of the historic Kokuzoyama mountain in the traditional land of Kutani. They spare no effort in their work, paying great attention to every detail. Unlike manufactured products, our consistent process from handcrafting to selling allows us to make every single pottery vessel embraced by the warmth of the earth and the heart of the artisan.
View ItemsSoukyu Kiln
Soukyu Kiln is a pottery of Kutani ware in Nomi city of Ishikawa prefecture. A Kiln artist Chie Sakurai and her husband produce these cute works in Soukyu Kiln. She inherited traditional Kutani Gosai (5 colors), Red, Yellow, Green, Purple, and Deep Blue and makes cute and unique design for modern lifestyle. Everyone cannot stop saying “How cute!” to the Kutani plates of Soukyu Kiln. Beautiful and cute tableware have got attention.
View ItemsKutani Hanasaka
“HANASAKA” is a brand of ceramics produced by Taniguchi Seidojo, which produces Kutani ware clay. The brand name “HANASAKA” is derived from “Hanasaka Pottery Stone” which is the raw material for Kutani ware. Currently, there are only a few mines where Hanasaka pottery stone can be quarried, and while Kutani ware is widely known, such a situation is hardly recognized.
View ItemsHarekutani
Harekutani was born in 2017 with the desire to bring Kutani ware to life in a casual manner. Kutani ware from Ishikawa Prefecture, which has a history of over 300 years, is hand-painted by the artist with delicate patterns. The characteristic of this product is that it is made of a variety of materials. As one of Japan's representative "colored Kiln", it has the charm of a dignified feel that beautifully complements food.
View ItemsSeikou Kiln
“Offer unique elegance of Kutani ware in reasonable price which is acceptable for market.”
Seikou kiln aims to make high quality Kutani ware available to as many people as possible at a reasonable price by combining silk printing and traditional handwriting techniques. They won many awards such as at “Charming Japanese Souvenir Contest” by Japan Tourism Agency or at “Gourmet & Dining Style Show.
Bizan Kiln
Bizan Kiln was established in the late Meiji period as a Kutani ware painting kiln. They have been a famous kiln that has continued to be loved by people by incorporating a sense of the times into their traditional style. Their works are painted based on the Kutani Gosai (five colors of Kutani), which has been handed down for 360 years, and the tradition matches the modern life, making it enjoyable to use.
View ItemsThe charm of Kutani Ware is the beauty of its painting. The scenic and colorful designs of Kutani Ware, which are uniquely Japanese, are sure to add a colorful element to any table. Kutani Ware is also attractive as a work of art, so you can display it on a plate stand as home decor.
Also, Kutani Ware pieces that are carefully hand-painted by craftsmen will surely be appreciated as gifts. You can choose from a variety of tableware such as plates, cups, sake sets, and bowls, as well as cute Maneki Neko figurines, to name a few.