Alcove and scroll paintings

This is an alcove of a house. This is a section of Japanese room, functioning as an ornament. While almost all areas of Japanese room is filled with tatami mats, the alcove has a wooden floor and some scroll paintings. Many people enjoy the arts on the alcove. Though this is a typical Japanese traditional interior style, there are less and less houses without alcove.

Rice Paddy Field

Rainy season passed away. There are many paddy fields in Japan, and the rice is gradually growing! We usually plant the rice on the end of April or May. Rice gain much nutrition from paddy and rain, especially in rainy season. They are usually cut 
in September, and we can store the rice in whole year.

Japanese Summer Festival

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival has started today. This festival has 770 years history in Kyushu. It is two-week-long festival! So you can see this festival yourself if you make your mind up to get the ticket to Japan right now! Haha!

 

Seven teams of 26 bearers each carry huge , one-ton floats called Yama and compete with a passion to be the fastest round the 5-km route in the festival.
So I should train hard!!

 

Written by Kihara

 

Hagi-ware’s color changing

Hagi-ware has a specific feature that other potteries don’t have. That is what is called “Hagi-ware’s color changing”. 

That means, if you continue using Hagi-ware, the color changes gradually. The reason is as follows; the clay used for Hgi-ware is not so fine and has low pyrometric cone equivalent that firing only once is not enough to make Hagi-ware stiff. Because of this fact, sometimes glaze is covered with the wares. 

With the use of glaze, the difference of shrinkage ratio between glaze and clay makes chaps when firing completes. Clay has some water absorbability and water get through from the chaps. When you pour alcohol or tea, the components bond to the ware. This gradual change makes Hagi-ware’s color change. This is called “Hagi-no-Nanabake (literally, the seven change of Hagi-ware)” in Japan. Although those color-changed ware comes in handy because they are pleasant, even some users in Japan misunderstand that the wares became filthy.

Before

After

Do you notice something like cracks?

When I met some craftsmen making Hagi-ware, many of them said “some users complain because they don’t know Hagi-ware’s color changing”. They also mentioned “although the color changing is the very feature of Hagi-ware, most of the users don’t know the fact”. What was worse, some of them even said “foreigners can’t tell this authenticity”.

Through these experiences, I decided to write the article about Hagi-ware’s color changing. I know that I can’t tell the authenticity by only these sentences and some photos, but after you read this article. I’d like you to ask something.

“Hagi-ware’s color changing”. Which do you think, the wares are mere filthy, or beautiful ?


Written by Yabuuchi

Hagi-ware #2

This time, I introduce how to make Hagi-ware.

Hagi-ware is a very delicate pottery. Because of the characteristics of clay and glaze, each Hagi-ware shows different finishing colors and tones even if they are fired in the same kiln. Hagi-ware craftsmen say that “it is very difficult to make the wares of same tone and pattern.” As you see the photos, even if the shape is identical, the patterns, which are made from combinations of clay and glaze, differ sometimes significantly.

Why these wares always show different patterns?  The reason is the difference of temperature when they are fired in the kiln. It depends where in a kiln to put unfired wares since the firing temperature differs in the kiln from a part to another and the temperature variation causes different chemical reactions.

These photos show some processes of Hagi-ware making. Using a potter’s wheel, craftsmen pay careful attention to leveling the bottom to stabilize the ware, to making regular and smooth at the edge for comfortable use, etc.

When they fire the wares, traditionally a type of kiln called “nobori-gama” (climbing kiln) is used. As you fire at the ground of the kiln, the fire goes up smoothly and effectively to the top part. But the temperature differs from a part to another, and this produces different tones and patterns in finished wares.

When you use a Hagi-ware, it should be interesting to remember its real uniqueness!

Written by Yabuuchi

Hagi-ware

Many kinds of potteries are produced in Japan. “Hagi-ware”, which is made at Hagi city, in the most west Prefecture in Honsyu, Yamaguchi, is one of them. We have introduced Arita-ware before. Although Arita- and Hagi-wares are classified in “pottery,” they are totally different in shape. But surprisingly, those two share the same origin.

Hagi-ware

 

Arita Porcelain

About 400 years ago when Japan was in a Warring states period, a war lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi tried to invade the Korean Peninsula. At last they were defeated, but they brought many craftsmen making high-quality Korean porcelains to Japan.

Those craftsmen settled in some places like Arita, Hagi, etc. and they continued making porcelains in the same way as they did in their homeland. Although the clays and materials have changed, their skills and techniques have been transferred to the present days in Japan. It is very interesting to know Japanese traditional potteries originally came from the Korean peninsula, isn’t it?

These are all Hagi-ware.

 As shown in photos, Hagi-ware is rather quiet or, in another word, subdued, while Arita-ware looks colorful. Some might think such subdued potteries are less popular. However, please remind that there has been a long history of tea ceremony in Japan, in which so-called “wabi-sabi” taste is highly appreciated. The sense of beauty in “wabi-sabi” simply fits in the subdued characteristics of Hagi-ware, and then it is one of the most beloved potteries when enjoying tea here in the past and now.

Written By Yabuuchi

May 5, is Boy's day!!

Today May 5, is Children's day in Japan.

It is a day to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness.

Traditionally the day was called Tango no Sekku (Boy's day) . It was originally for boys but was changed to include both genders.

(March 3, is girl's day)

It is said that this tradition is coming from China.

On this day, families often fly carp streamer flags outside their homes and display Japanese traditional armor and helmet to represent strength and success.

How about your country?