KIRISHIMA YAKI-Ceramics of Kagoshima Prefecture

Thank you to Toshi Shiinoki for permission to use these photos. 

 

Thanks a million for helping make such a milestone!!

Today we reached one million hits for Modern Japanese Porcelain and Pottery Marks! 

KUROMUTA YAKI-Ceramics of Saga Prefecture 黒牟田焼

 Kuromuta Yaki is made in Takeo, Saga Prefecture. 

I think this is Kuromuta Yaki. It is not marked but it looks very much like the work of Maruta Masami.

He used the simple plant motif in this style on many pieces. He studied under Shoji Hamada and perhaps this motif was influenced by him. 

Chatsubo-Maruta Nobumasa Gama

Yunomi with the Nobumasa kiln mark

Brand new resource for Japanese ceramics and marks

 This is a good resource with lots of information that may be of help in researching Japanese ceramics. Caution, it is a subscription site, with revolving payments. One can only see a limited amount of information without joining. If you have a lot of ceramics to research it may be just what you need. I do recommend using it as one reference. I  always encourage researchers to do additional research to document and to verify information for any source. 

 https://japanese-ceramics.com/

Roppou Gama-Ceramics of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture

 Wada Sekitouden 和田　石凍田 of Roppou Gama 六方窯, was a one man kiln near Mt. Rokko. He died in 1997 leaving no heir to his kiln. Unfortunately many of his works were destroyed in the Great Hanshin Earthquake back in 1995.  I found some information on him several years ago but that information has pretty much disappeared into the internet wasteland. Luckily in 2015 I printed the blog page that his son wrote which gave some information on him and his works. His works speak to me, not in a loud bang, but in a reverent whisper. 

RAKUZAN YAKI-Ceramics of Ehime Prefecture

 Rakuzan Yaki is a fun kind of ceramics. Actually raku means fun...and this certainly is. It is probably most famous for the crabs that look like they are crawling out of the sand in many of the ceramics. The common 3D shrine ware is often confused with Banko ware. So not to be confused, there is also another Rakuzan ware made in Izumo which is associated with Fujina ware.

Tsuji Seijisha 辻精磁社

 

These are the works of Tsuji Hitachi, 15th generation 

 With over 300 years serving the Royal family, being the first to be purveyors to the Imperial Household, the Tsuji family has an amazing tradition of excellence in producing exceptional porcelain.

            This older piece from my collection was probably made by either Tsuji 12th or 13th generation.

Here is some of the history of the Tsuji Family. 

http://arita-episode2.jp/histor/history_9.html

 

Incense Containers-Kogo 香合

Incense containers, called kogo 香合, are generally used for the traditional tea ceremony to store a few bits of incense. They come in all kinds of shapes. one will see many in the shape of animals, from the Asian zodiac. Other shapes such as fans, fruits, other auspicious animals, etc. are also plentiful. Most styles of Japanese ceramics have versions of kogo. They make wonderful collectables as they are small and come in such huge variety.
One of my favorite books is the Exhibition of Kogo from the George Clememceau Collection.

Hagi by Watanabe Eisen (monkey)

Hagi by Watanabe Eisen (dog and ball)

Mashiko

IZUMO RAKUZAN YAKI-Ceramics Of Izumo, Shimane Prefecture

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Nagaoka at his exhibition in Fukuoka. He took time to sit and talk with me about his work and to answer my questions. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit. He specializes in tea ware. His style ranges from simple hakeme decorated forms to more elaborate detailed designs.

Rakuzan Gama
https://www.nagaoka-kukyo.com/
Nagaoka Kukyo 長岡空郷 (Thank you to my friend Alice Gordenker for providing the
information and photos)

Ryumonji Yaki-Ceramics of Kagoshima Prefecture

Ryumonji Yaki is sometimes referred to as Black Satsuma, but that is not entirely true. Certainly much of Ryumonji is black, usually with a splash of color glaze somewhere, but there is much more to it than that. Other styles include "sansai" or three-colored, sharkskin, white shark skin, as well as brown, blue and ochre glazed ware.
see:
http://ryumonjiyaki.jp/gallery/index.htm


Here is an example of black Satsuma with a blue/green flow glaze