KUTANI-YAKI (PORCELAIN)

Explanatory Notes

Name of the work:
Spring and Fall on the Outer Seashore of Noto Peninsula

In the comfortable seasons of spring and fall, the sea is calm on the outer side of the Noto Peninsula, and clusters of seagulls play over the beach, following the wind. The seasonal atmosphere is conveyed by means of the yuri-kinsai (decoration with gold leaf) technique.

KUTANI-YAKI (PORCELAIN)
HISTORY & FEATURES

The tradition of Kutan-yaki was founded by Saijiro Goto in the mid-17th century. Goto was ordered to learn pottery-making in Arita, Kyushu by his lord, and established a kiln in the village of Kutani (present-day Kaga City). The style of Porcelain ware known as Ko-Kutani, which features bold designs in five distinctive colors, is highly reputed worldwide. However, the kiln disappeared after 50 years, and 100 years later, Ko-Kutani ware was revived at the Kasugayama kiln in Kanazawa and at the Wakasugi kiln in Komatsu. Later, production was launched at kilns including the Yoshidaya kiln, the Miyamotoya kiln, the Eiraku kiln and the Ono kiln, and each of these produced distinctive Kutani ware. In the 19th century, Shoza Kutani played an active role in the production of Kutani-yaki with distinctive, colorful decoration, and contributed to the development of Kutani ware as a local industry.