Striving for our unique, irreproducible color expression
A workshop overrun with UNKAI test pieces. Sinkougama, a pottery manufacturer, is in charge of the UNKAI glazing and glaze firing process. After a year of trial and error, the company developed a piece it could be proud of. Sinkougama takes the time necessary to create an irreproducible product. Its fifth-generation owner Kazuaki Tanaka rejects rapid, easily copied production methods, devoting himself instead to improving the craftsmanship of his factory.
Great effort goes into shaping a perfectly round rim so that glaze can melt into a sea of clouds.
The sea of clouds is seen in the running glaze, floating on the porcelain. This ethereal appearance is possible only with uniform solidity of materials (the molds and clays) and perfectly even handling and firing. Combined with its thorough technical mastery, Maruasa is able to craft the flawless shape of UNKAI pieces.
Unique pottery that works with nature
Do work that expresses my character” says Nobuyasu Takai, third generation head of Sakuzan, talking as if the studio itself was a human artist. At Sakuzan, over a hundred different glazes are used on fourteen types of clay and fired in three different methods to produce products of real character and beauty.
Refined forms demand
specialized expertise
A world without gloss or color ? at first this sounds bleak and cold, however the soft shadows of cekitay tableware create a quiet space and relaxing time without gloss or color. The high precision required for the refined forms of series such as the unglazed ‘hakusa’ or matte glazed ‘ishi’ are the culmination of expertise developed exclusively at Kyoutou-Yougyou.
Tableware comes alive with glaze
Tableware is alive. The technique to intentionally create minute cracks in the surface known as ‘craze’ utilizes different shrinkage ratios of glass glazes. The craze occurs not only during firing, but continues to grow gradually with use. Discovering a new line what wasn’t there yesterday is a reminder that the tableware is alive and growing, helping forge a loving relationship with these dishes that are a part of our life.
