Craft & Kilns
Japanese ceramics and cut glass: begin with the materials, then read about individual traditions and makers.
Browse by craft tradition
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Traditions & makers
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The Story of Kutani Ware
Early Kutani, Yoshidaya and export porcelain: the history behind the styles.
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Edo Kiriko: Tokyo Cut Glass
How cut patterns shape the glass, and how to care for it.
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Hagi Ware and the Seven Changes
Why Hagi glaze changes with use, and what careful washing and drying involve.
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Hasami Porcelain for Everyday Tables
The Nagasaki tradition behind everyday bowls, cups and plates.
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Mino Ware: Shino, Oribe and Beyond
The glazes and ceramic traditions of eastern Gifu.
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Tokoname Ware: Kyusu and Red Clay
From medieval storage jars to red-clay teapots and lucky cats.
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Seto Ware: Pottery, Porcelain and Glazes
How Seto came to make both glazed pottery and porcelain.
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Arita: The Beginnings of Japanese Porcelain
Blue-and-white decoration, enamels and the traditions associated with Arita.
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Banko Ware: Donabe and Teapots
The Mie pottery tradition behind clay cooking pots and shidei teapots.
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Shigaraki Ware: Clay and Fire
From historic jars to contemporary vessels, with attention to clay and glaze.
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Asakura Isokichi: Colour and Form
The work of Asakura Isokichi II and the generations at Isokichi Shinkō-gama.
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Yakushigama: Lucky Cats from Seto
The ceramic ornament brand behind familiar lucky-cat figures.
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What Is Kutani Ware?
A first look at Kutani porcelain, its overglaze colours and recurring motifs.
