History Kutani ware

the site of old kutani porcelain kiln (right), memorial founder gotō saijirō (left)



ko-kutani porcelain 4 colours aote type plate flower design in enamel, late 17th century, edo period

the term kutani means 9 valleys . first mention in 1655 during meireki era. according tradition, stones suitable porcelain making found in kutani mines of daishoji clan. gotō saijirō, member of maeda clan, sent orders of lord maeda toshiharu of kaga domain arita in hizen province learn how make porcelain. set kiln in village of kutani. lords of kaga domain became great patrons of kutani. porcelains period called old kutani (古九谷, ko-kutani) , rare. ko-kutani enjoyed popularity next few decades after 1655. styles of old kutani aote (青手), used colours of deep green, yellow, dark blue , purple, , iroe (色絵), used colours of red, green, purple, dark blue, , yellow. arita produced number of vessels in ko-kutani style, kakiemon porcelain.

production closed down in 1730. reasons closure debated. theories put forward include supplies of pigments necessary glazing difficult find, or there financial difficulties. memorial stone stele gotō later erected near old kutani ware kiln in kaga.

saikō-kutani

saikō-kutani style porcelain sweets tray underglaze flower , leaves decoration , overglaze enamels, c. 1825, late edo period



saikō-kutani porcelain plate depicting li bo riding carp, 19th century, edo period

in 1804, or possibly 1807, production re-established of several kamamoto, or production potters. new overglaze painting techniques various kamamoto infused in development of became known revised kutani (再興九谷, saikō-kutani). in 19th century style shifted more red design called aka-e (赤絵), features intricate designs. gold technique called kinran-de (金襴手), , combination became aka-e kinran-de (赤絵 金襴手) kutani.

one of first important exhibitions abroad in 1873 @ vienna world exposition, kinran-de exhibited. helped spread popularity , contributed growth of exports europe. style of producing kutani named traditional craft in 1975. there several hundred companies produce kutani ware.

many artists today located in komatsu, ishikawa , terai. well-known artists tatsuya mitsui, buzan fukushima (who specialises in aka-e), takayama kazuo (b. 1947) , akaji ken (b. in 1938) work in traditional style, , tojiro kitade , fujio kitade work in modern movement. tokuda yasokichi iii (1933–2009) designated living national treasure enamel work in ao-de ko-kutani. yoshida minori (b. 1932) third generation master specialises in yūri-kinsai technique , designated living national treasure. asakura isokichi ii (1913–1998) renowned , received order of culture in 1996.

apart traditional vessels such chawan, kutani artists have branched out in recent times produce items such sneaker made out of porcelain lively colours , accessories such usb flash drives.