Thursday, February 7, 2019

Fuchi-sabi or brown rim

Fuchi sabi is the brown glazed rim found on many styles 


Modern Kutani yunomi with fuchi sabi

Vintage inban choko with fuchi sabi

Modern Kenzan style bowl with fuchi sabi

Igezara with brown rim is quite common from Meiji and Taisho periods

Meiji period soba choko with fuchi sabi



Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Mikawachi Porcelain

When people think of Mikawachi and Hirado porcelain wares they generally think of  blue and white (sometsuke), however that is not always the case. in the late 19th century to around the turn of the century red was used on very thin porcelain wares. One characteristic of the Mikawachi red, white and blue style was a particular type of red scroll work around the blue and white cartouche, which usually was a mountain, water scene known as sansui, often with figures. Using just red and white with a red and white cartouche was also very common.
I find this type of ware is often labeled as Kutani on auction sites and have even seen it marked Kutani at established auction houses!

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Meiji/Taisho Period Shark Skin tea sets (similar styles made in AIZU- HONGO, Fukushima, Shigaraki)






These prolific shark skin with raised enamel tea sets have been labeled as Banko ware, Aizu Hongo ware (see link below) and Shigaraki ware. I recently came upon a Japanese Pottery book with very similar ware from Shigaraki from the Meiji period labeled as Ichin Kake or inchin Yaki. See photo below. 
*Thanks to Tanii Hozan for doing some research for me on the Shigaraki shark skin ware. 


                                                      Made in Shigaraki


 

These are the common type ( from my collection) 


Made in Fukushima area



Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Soba Choko

Soba choko are small deep bowls used for dipping buckwheat noodles in sauce since the Edo period. Originally they were used for dishes in a formal meal to hold some little delicacy called muko-zuke. Soba choko were made in many areas of Japan but nowhere so prevelently as in the Hizen province of what is now Saga and Nagasaki prefectures. They are usually referred to as Imari as a general term. Soba choko can be blue and white, or multi colored. Certain shapes any styles were made at certain times. Many have a janome kodai or “snake’s eye foot”. The foot is usually unglazed or sometimes just the eye is glazed. The “eyes” are larger during the Edo period. The Soba choko of the Meiji period generally have smaller eyes. Many do not have the snake’s eye foot, so we must look at other factors for dating.

From my collection


                                                Meiji period soba choko with small janome kodai

Meiji period iro-e with sho-chiku-bai or pine, bamboo and plum motif
Although these meiji period cups are likely muko-zuke they are a similar size and have the same kind of center (mikomi) decoration.





I visited the Gallery at Vanderbilt.
From the Herman D. Doochin Collection at Vanderbilt University























Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Ko-Dakeo/Old Takeo Yaki




KODAKEO or old Takeo pottery is from the Edo Period of Saga Prefecture. It is closely related to Karatsu pottery.
When I saw some of these wares for the first time I thought “ Oh my heart, I’m in love,” As many of you know certain styles, or pieces will call to you....they almost seem to belong to you, are somehow a part of you....and if you are lucky, you can afford to get one! ;)


Kyushu Ceramics Museum



Kyushu Ceramics Museum


http://www.japanpotterynet.com/en/user_data/ceramics066.php

https://www.kyuhaku.jp/exhibition/exhibition_pre100.html

https://saga-museum.jp/ceramic/exhibition/limited/2018/09/001963.html



http://www.japanpotterynet.com/en/user_data/ceramics066.php

http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/kantei/kaiun_db/otakara/20160216/07.html


Saturday, November 24, 2018

IWAMI YAKI- Ceramics of Shimane Prefecture

Pickling or Miso Jar




Some examples

https://search.rakuten.co.jp/search/mall/石見焼/
https://kogeijapan.com/locale/en_US/iwamiyaki/




Friday, July 13, 2018

Daishoji Imari

https://www.kutani.org/spip.php?newsletter3




19th century small bowl in the "Kikka" (菊花) chrysanthemum motif. Kikkagata zara-chrysanthemum shaped plate. The flowers have 16 petals both in the outer shape as well as in the center.  The back mark is a Chinese mark used on Japanese wares from the mid Edo period. 奇玉宝鼎之珍(In Japanese would read: ki gyuoku hou tei no chin)












Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Japanese Living National Treasures in Ceramics

Japanese Living National Treasures in Ceramics

1955
Arakawa Toyozo-Shino
Hamada Shoji-Mingei (folk pottery)
Ishiguro Munemaru-Iron glazes
Tomimoto Kenichi- Overglaze enamels

1956
Kaneshige Toyo-Bizen

1961
Kato Hajime-Overglaze enamel

1970
Fujiwara Kei-Bizen
Miwa Kyuwa(Kysetsu 10)-Hagi

1976
Nakazato Muan-Karatsu

1977
Kondo  Yuzo-Underglaze blue cobalt

1983
Tsukamoto Kaiji-Hakuji
Miwa Kyusetsu (11)-Hagi

1985
Shimizu Uichi-Iron glaze
Kinjo Jiro-Yachimun (Okinawa)

1986
Tamara Koichi-Iron design
Fujimoto  Yoshimichi- Overglaze enamel

1987  
Yamamoto Toshu-Bizen

1989
Imaizumi Imaemon (13)- Overglaze enamel

1993
Matsui Kosei-Neriage

1994
Suzuki Osamu-Shino

1995
Kato Takuo-Sansai
Inoue Manji-Hakuji

1996
Fujiwara Yu-Bizen
Shimaoka Tatsuzo-Mingei (Jomon zogan rope inlay)

1997
Miura Koheiji-Seiji
Tokuda Yasokichi- (3)- Kutani Saiyu Jiki

1998
Yamada Jozan (3)-Tokoname (tea pots)

2001
Sakaida Kakiemon (14)- Overglaze enamel
Yoshida Minori-underglaze gold decoration

2003
Ito Sekisui (5)-Mumyoi 

2004
Isezaki Jun-Bizen

2005
Hara Kiyoshi-Iron glaze

2010 
Kato Kozo-Seto guro

2013
Maeta Akihiro-Hakuji

2017
Fukushima Zenzo-Koishiwara 













Thursday, April 5, 2018

Toyo Toki Kokura Japan

Toyo Toki Kokura Japan
The logo OCW refers to Oriental Ceramic Works, a precursor to Toto, known for its washlet toilets and Toyotoki Kaisha. Toyo Toki Kaisha was an affiliate of the Morimura bros is now known as Noritake. 
See: http://morimura.co.jp/english/history/ , under 1917.
See: https://jp.toto.com/en/company/profile/outline/history/index.htm



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