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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.

Kutani Ware Stories

1655	Kutani kiln opened in Kutani Village by order of Maeda Toshiharu, the first feudal lord of the Daishoji Domain.
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

Akae-Kinrande "Eiraku"

Kutani Ware Styles Born from Japan's Modernization

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.

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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.

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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.

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Yoshidaya

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.

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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.

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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.

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Modern 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.

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Ideas for Use

The 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.