Each of the vessels we handle are carefully crafted by artists and craftsmen.

"Artists" and "Craftsmen"

Artisans are responsible for everything from the selection and procurement of materials to design, molding, glazing, and firing.

On the other hand, artisans are mass-producers of handmade pieces, and they produce crafts as ordered.

Although the scale of production varies, there are many organizations called "kamamoto" that have a division of labor, such as rokuroroshi (wheel turner), egaki (painter), etc., and the quality of production is the same even though the work is done by hand.

Of those who produce mass-produced products as a potter, some of them are active as individual artists.

The size, shape, color, and distortion of each artist's piece differs from one to another. Some artists add their own sense of playfulness to their work, and sometimes they even change it. You can choose to enjoy the one-of-a-kind texture of an artist's piece, or mass-produced pieces if you want the same quality.

Pinholes

Some pottery vessels have "pinholes," which are dents of about 1 mm in diameter.

This is a phenomenon in which organic matter on the glazed surface is baked and forms a small dent in the glaze.

This is also a naturally occurring design that can occur in the kiln, and is sometimes used as a means of intentional expression.

Meato (eye marks)

A small mark is formed toward the center of the vessel.

These marks are made by placing small pieces of refractory clay between two vessels during firing to prevent them from sticking to each other.

These marks are not found on mass-produced vessels.

Iron powder

This is iron that is blown out like powder.

This is the iron contained in the clay or glaze that is oxidized by firing and appears on the surface.

For mass-produced pieces and pieces that are particular about whiteness, the clay is thoroughly refined to remove iron at the time of firing.

Artists' vessels with iron filings are made with clay that has iron filings, which is a characteristic of the texture of the clay itself.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0572/8111/8362/files/c5a72edcb2d5069113dc8fcb8ffb2fd5_480x480.jpg?v=1631497519

Kannyu (penetration)

The glassy cracks in the glaze caused by the difference in shrinkage between the base and glaze during firing are called "kannyu (penetration). Naturally occurring kannyu are often used as an expressive design technique, and the unique kannyu is one of the highlights of the piece.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0572/8111/8362/files/1_480x480.jpg?v=1631497467

In addition, there are other characteristics such as the trace of glaze flow, the degree of accumulation, shading, blurring of painting, and unevenness of firing due to the unevenness of the fire exposure and temperature in the kiln.

The same is true for kiln ware, and no two pieces are exactly the same because they are made by hand.

Please enjoy the "scenery" of each piece as an interesting aspect of pottery and a beauty created by nature.