Japanese Ceramics

1
Japanese Ceramics
2
The Six Old Kilns

• Refers to the six traditional medieval pottery
  centers of Japan.
• Shigaraki
• Bizen
• Tanba
• Echizen
• Seto
• Tokoname

3
The Six Old Kilns
In Japan the terms "Nihon Rokkoyo" or "Chuse
Rokkoyo" refer to the six typical pottery centers
of the medieval period. These pottery centers
were know for creating three general categories
of clay ware.
These three categories are Sueki, Hajiki and
Shiki. This presentation will introduce these
types of ceramics first before going into firing
processes and surface decoration.
4
Sueki Pottery
Sueki was made in ancient Japan, and was usually
gray and vitreous. The products of sueki were
fired to yellow heat, at between 1100 - 1200
degrees in a reduction atmosphere. Sueki products
were generally made on the wheel, and usually
served the function of everyday utensils and
ceremonial vessels.
5
Hajiki Pottery
Production of Hajiki began in the Kofun period
around the 4th century. Hajiki was usually
reddish bisque ware used for everyday utensils
and ceremonial vessels. It was fired at lower
temperatures (from 600 to 800) than the "sueki"
ware, which was produced around the same time.
6
Shiki Pottery
Shiki is the oldest glazed bisque ware in Japan.
A three color lead glaze, "sansai-enyu", was
applied to this work. It was fired to relatively
low temperatures (around 800 degrees), and it was
produced in the Heian period (794-1185).
7
Japanese Firing Process Raku

• The word Raku means, joy, or happiness.
• The process of  Raku firing involves heating
  glazed pots to 1875 degrees, opening the kiln and
  removing the molten pot with a pair of tongs. The
  artwork is placed in a container of organic
  material and closed to create a reduction
  chamber. The fast cooling process makes a crackle
  pattern in the clay body called crazing and
  intense colors.

8
Japanese Firing Process Smoke
Smoke firing takes place in a metal or brick
container. The pots are packed in wood shavings
and sawdust until the kiln is full. A fire is lit
and the kiln is covered and left to burn out.
Shavings smolder and the smoke and fumes burn
permanently into the clay surface. The colors
which result are quite unpredictable being
influenced by the type of sawdust, the density of
the packing, and the location of the pots within
the kiln.
9
Japanese Surface DecorationMishima
Mishima is the process of creating grooves in the
clay that are later filled with an opposing color
of clay. It is similar to drawing on the surface
of a clay object.