Herbs and Japanese pottery just seem so happy together!

                                       

MATSUSHIRO-YAKI (松代焼)-Ceramics of Nagano Prefecture

Matsushiro pottery is considered a folk pottery or mingei. In "Folk Kilns I" by Hiroshi Mizuo he explains some of the history of this style. It began in 1816 making all the needed wares for the local area. Many kilns were driven out of business by the mass producing kilns and the opening of the railroads. Karakida Matazō was instrumental in bringing back Matsushiro Yaki. It is oft times referred to as 信州松代焼Shinshu Matsushiro Yaki. 

I believe four kilns are producing in Matsushiro,  Matsui kiln and the Karakida kilns seem to be the most prolific. 

MATSUI GAMA (松井窯)

           MATSUI Gama MARK

Japanese Ceramic Resources on the Net-Some Favorite Sites I Frequent

I use these sites (and many, many more) to cross check and verify. These are not in any particular order. I  do not use any one site as the only source for identification. These are just helpful jumping off points. There are additional links to kiln websites under the pottery types on this blog, some of which have an English link (but most do not). You may also find my book reviews for books on Japanese pottery helpful. My library is growing. I have reference books in Japanese as well, that are not reveiwed, as they are not easily obtained outside of Japan. 

HELPFUL SITES

http://www.utsuwadouraku.com   

This is a Japanese recycle internet shop that I use for styles, names and marks because the shopkeeper usually displays the box, mark and any identification papers. It is in Japanese but it might be fun to check it out.

Katsuragi ebay. 

This site sells things from Japan. The site is machine translated English but is understandable. I use this as a reference. It is not 100% correct but often has the boxes and identification papers so I can check it out myself. 

www.rikyucha.com

This site is in English,but ships from Japan. This deals mostly with tea ceremony utensils but has some other items. The potters name is given when known. Sometimes it shows the box and identification papers. You can sign up for the newsletter which adds interesting cultural tidbits. 

http://Jisho.org

This is an on line Japanese dictionary. It requires some knowledge of Japanese but is a great asset for looking up kanji.

http://dictionaries.nihongoresources.com 

I love this one because it shows different forms of Kanji that one may encounter reading marks, names and red hanko seals on boxes. 

http://nippon-kichi.jp/

http://pukupukukichi.blogspot.com

http://shop.flimart.com/wa/goods/

http://www.imari.com/index.html

http://home.netyou.jp/77/k-okada2/yakimono.html

http://www.guinomiya.com

http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~hayakaen/SOME-MENU.htm

https://sites.google.com/site/bandwresearch/home/imbande/printing-technique

http://www.h5.dion.ne.jp/~umebachi/zen.html

http://flyeschool.com/content/japanese-tea-bowl-feet

The Coin Toss and Displaying Japanese Kanji on Pottery

With a coin toss there is usually about a 50/50 chance of heads or tails. You would think that it would be the same odds displaying pottery marks on line for those who do not know Kanji. This is NOT the case. As I surf the listings on sites such as ebay, etsy and others I am amazed at how many marks are posted upside down (granted a few are sideways..but very few). My guess is that it is closer to 80% that are upside down! Why is that?

QUIZ......So which of the marks below are are right side up and which are upside down?

"SATSUMA" EXPORT WARE

When Japan was finally opened to the outside world in 1868, demand for exports of Japanese ceramics began to mount until it exploded around the 1880's. The products made for export were generally gaudy and hastily done. It is said that "blanks" were delivered to many locations near ports such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, etc. Men, women and children were involved in decorating the pieces to enable them to get as many ready for export as possible. "Satsuma" ceramics for export usually had warriors, geisha, etc., whereas the domestic market pieces were dominated by flowers and landscapes which were produced with much more care. Much of what westerners label as Satsuma is not true Satsuma. True Satsuma began in Kagoshima and Kushikino but after finding good clay, moved to Naeshirogawa, a village in Satsuma Province in the early 1600's. It is a very beautiful, intricate and quality ceramic with a distinctive natural crackle to the glaze. There is absolutely no comparison of real Satsuma to the export wares known to many westerners as "Satsuma". (see Japanese Ceramics of the last 100 years by Irene Stitt).

I found this vase below (showing front and back) at a second hand shop. I thought this was a good specimen to show what many in the west have come to know as "Satsuma". The marks inside the bottom read 右四十, which I assume means "right 40" which might refer to either its order coming off the production line for the right side of a pair or the right side of a large numbered set. Often vases came in pairs or sets.  I am not sure of the age of this piece as I have seen similar pieces described as being anywhere from 1880-1920. I can say that this certainly does show its age, having a golden repair and with crazing in the moriage. Notice that the creamy glaze inside and at the bottom of the vase does not show the delicate crazing expected of true Satsuma. I have seen many similar shapes on line so I believe these were probably blanks that were decorated with various designs. This vase stands 12" which also fits one of the common sizes. Although not quality Satsuma, these kinds of pieces have become quite collectible.

Cobalt blue ceramics- a great link

My new found friend collects Japanese cobalt blue ceramics and has done a great job of researching. Please learn and enjoy! http://www.ebay.com/gds/About-Cobalt-Blue-Ceramics-Late-20th-Century-Asian-/10000000178023122/g.html

JUBAKO 重箱/DANJUBAKO 段重箱

In love all the styles and colors of the Jubako stackable ceramic dishes. They traditionally are used for the New Years celebrations. In the days preceding the new year people bustle about cleaning and decorating their homes. Many special foods are prepared beforehand for the three day celebration so that families and friends can enjoy the holiday without having to spend all the time in the kitchen preparing food. They beautifully arrange the food in the jubako.  Since Japanese houses are not centrally heated the food is left out in the jubako so that people can just eat when they want. I think they look beautiful set in grouping for display. They would also be a lovely way to arrange finger foods at your next party! 

    This is sold by Tachikichi, with Tachibana MARK

    Fan-shaped Jubako. I am still working on identifying this mark.

This is sold by Dai Ichi Toki (第弌陶器 ) This is the "red" MARK.  They have many other marks under their label. 

    I believe this reads Daigo (醍醐)

       This is Arita Yaki with Shosen MARK 

This is Mino ware with the Daikichi MARK

      Marunishi Tosai MARK (needs verification)

 This is a partial, the top is missing. I use it to heighten my other jubako's as the size is the same. The mark is Kozangama by Maetbata Company of Gifu Prefecture. It is Mino Ware.

Two tired Jubako in Annan style. This is Seto Akazu  Yaki, by Shozan 松山

Beware and Do Your Homework!

I want to post a warning about many of the claims on auction sites. Often as I am browsing, I am flabbergasted at the claims made concerning Japanese ceramics. The errors I find most often are claiming things as antique when they are not,  labeling as Satsuma when they are not, or other incorrect labeling, and a pet peeve, labeling Mino ware by Kozangama as Arita Kozanyo or Kasan. A recent one on Etsy claims a listing is a rare antique Satsuma tea set, but it appears to be an imitation of Ogata Kenzan's work (with a very lame signature). I don't think Kenzan was making western tea sets.

So, please do your homework and do not believe everything you read. Check out other sources before you take the leap and buy something off an auction site. 

UNKNOWNS

Suizan? Eizan? I believe this is Kyo yaki. Needs verification.

My new tea Bowl. The motif is is called Manjugiku. The mark reads Kyo Rouzan (京瀧山)

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No mark on this little covered dish. Arita? Kyoto? What is it used for?

 

Studio cup and plate set with unidentified mark.

  This bowl has no mark but hopefully someday I will find out its origins. It is one of my favorites.

I just found this little guinomi (sake cup). It needs some research.

It is probably Imari  transfer ware. The mark reads HO.

I just found this little condiment dish, used for shichimi togarashi or seven spice pepper.  There is no mark. It may be Arita, Kyoto or Mino??

    I believe this is Arita ware, but need to verify.

  Ka (加). ?

    

I am working on this little sake cup. I bought it even though it had a chip. I do not have this mark in my files and decided it was worth the research. I think I have seen this before so my curiosity is peaked.

I think this might be Korean

Dragonware with marking IISA

The Beauty of Teabowls

I don't even drink tea, but I love all the varieties of Japanese tea bowls. There are so many shapes, glazes, and designs!