|
Grade: Brand new
What
is Tokoname ware ?
Tokoname
ware (Tokoname yaki in Japanese) is a form of ceramic pottery
that is produced in the area around the city of Tokoname in Aichi
prefecture. This traditional craft comes from one of the Six Ancient
Kilns of Japan. Along with Bizen, Tamba, Echizen, Seto, and Shigaraki,
Tokoname is one of the most outstanding Japanese kilns with traditions
that remain even today. Tokoname ware was created in the latter part of
the Heian period (794-1185), making it an incredibly ancient form of
porcelain. It uses potter's clay collected from the Chita peninsula,
where Tokoname is located, which contains a large amount of iron. Its
unique color is caused by the iron which makes the clay turn red after
baking. This is called shudei (the unglazed reddish
brown pottery). Various types of products like teacups and flowerpots
have been produced, but small iron teapots are especially favored today
because the iron is said to smoothen the bitterness and astringency of
tea. There are many kilns on the hills of the Chita Peninsula in Aichi
Prefecture, and since ancient times artisans have been working in them
with traditional techniques. These artisans, who produce high quality
products, have inherited their skills from a 1,000 year old history. They
are still using traditional techniques such as hand twisted casting which
has been used since the Heian period. Other techniques are yoriko
tsukuri which is used when producing large items such as wide
jars, pressing which is used when producing bonsai pots, and molding with
an electric potter's wheel.
|