Koishiwara ware (Koishiwara-yaki) is traditional Japanese pottery produced primarily in Toho Village, Fukuoka Prefecture, known for its characteristic patterns and designs combining practicality.
This article details Koishiwara ware’s history, distinctive techniques, and ways to enjoy it in daily use.
What is Koishiwara Ware? Its Appeal and Characteristics
Koishiwara ware is traditional pottery originating from Toho Village, Fukuoka Prefecture, with approximately 300 years of history as Japanese craft. Its greatest appeal lies in designs combining practicality with artistry. Koishiwara ware’s characteristic patterns employ techniques like “hakeme” (brush marks) and “tobikanna” (jumping plane), with rhythmic hand-crafted patterns adding warmth to vessels.
This pottery pursues sturdiness and simple beauty suitable for daily use, producing wide-ranging items like tea bowls, plates, and bowls. The handmade quality where patterns and shapes differ for each piece is another unique Koishiwara ware appeal.
While preserving tradition, it expands designs and uses matching contemporary lifestyles, serving various scenes whether Japanese or Western-style.
History and Development of Koishiwara Ware
Koishiwara ware is pottery born in Toho Village’s mountainous region, Fukuoka Prefecture, with approximately 300-year history continuing from the Edo period. Its practicality and beauty have evolved with changing times, beloved by many.
Additionally, reevaluated through the Folk Craft Movement, it’s now highly valued not only as vessels adorning daily life but also as crafts. Here we explain Koishiwara ware’s history from origins to present and its development.
Origins and Historical Background of Koishiwara Ware
Koishiwara ware’s origins trace to early Edo period, 1669 (Kanbun 9). Hachino-jo, grandson of first-generation Takatori Hachizo, discovered clay in Koishiwara Sarayama and settled there. Initially, Koishiwara ware centered on everyday items like rice containers, pots, and jars, widely used by farming communities for durability and practicality.
Characteristic techniques like “hakeme” and “tobikanna” are believed established from mid to late Edo period. These decorations pursued simple beauty while being decorative, adding visual enjoyment to everyday items. Thus, Koishiwara ware developed rooted in farming life, establishing position as regional distinctive pottery.
Connection with Folk Craft Movement and Koishiwara Ware’s Evaluation
In the early 20th century, Koishiwara ware gained reevaluation through Japan’s Folk Craft Movement. Movement founders Yanagi Soetsu and Kawai Kanjiro noted Koishiwara ware’s rustic, practical beauty. They praised its “beauty of use” and worked to spread its value domestically and internationally.
Through this movement, Koishiwara ware received recognition as art craft while remaining everyday items, becoming widely known beyond local areas. Artists influenced by the Folk Craft Movement developed further while preserving traditional techniques, incorporating new designs and forms.
Modern Position of Koishiwara Ware
Modern Koishiwara ware expands designs and uses suited to contemporary life while inheriting traditional methods. For example, it now produces diverse items like tableware suitable for both Japanese and Western styles, coffee cups, and decorative objects. This has renewed recognition of its appeal as vessels naturally integrating into daily life beyond traditional craft value.
Additionally, Koishiwara ware emphasizes local craftsmen’s handwork value, reflecting individual craftsmen’s character and style in works. This increases appeal as unique pieces. Furthermore, Koishiwara ware’s beauty spreads worldwide through domestic and international exhibitions and festivals.
Thus, Koishiwara ware, nurtured through historical background and Folk Craft Movement, continues enriching many people’s lives as pottery adapted to modern lifestyles.
Koishiwara Ware Production Process and Techniques
Koishiwara ware features unique patterns and rustic beauty, with craftsmen’s tradition and techniques embedded in its production process and decorative methods. Here we introduce Koishiwara ware’s production process and technical appeal.
Clay Used in Koishiwara Ware and Its Characteristics
Koishiwara ware uses clay from around Toho Village, Fukuoka Prefecture. This region’s clay features plasticity and becomes sturdy after firing. Clay preparation requires craftsmen’s skill and experience, with moisture content and particle fineness adjustments significantly affecting forming ease and firing results.
Furthermore, as Koishiwara ware often serves daily use, it emphasizes durability and functionality. Clay with these characteristics creates bases for vessels both sturdy and light. These clay characteristics suit unique decorative techniques like tobikanna and hakeme, enhancing Koishiwara ware’s distinctive patterns.
Process from Forming to Firing
Koishiwara ware follows these production steps:
Forming
Creates vessel shapes using wheels or molds. In wheel forming, craftsmen evenly stretch clay to create beautiful forms. Koishiwara ware, predominantly producing everyday vessels, requires advanced techniques for well-balanced shapes.
Drying
After forming, vessels dry for a set period. This process appropriately removes moisture, preparing for bisque firing.
Bisque Firing
Dried vessels fire at approximately 920-980°C. This process adds appropriate strength and facilitates glazing.
Glazing
Applies glazes to bisque-fired vessels. Glazes combine locally sourced straw ash, wood ash, and feldspar.
Main Firing
After glazing, fires vessels at approximately 1245°C. This process melts glazes, giving vessels luster and color. Using climbing kilns, flames and ash during firing may affect works, creating unique scenery.
Through these processes, Koishiwara ware completes with craftsmen’s techniques and dedication in each vessel.
Appeal of Decorative Techniques Like Tobikanna and Hakeme
Koishiwara ware’s main characteristics lie in decorative techniques like “tobikanna” and “hakeme.” Craftsmen apply these patterns by hand, featuring simple yet dynamic designs.
Tobikanna
Technique creating continuous carved patterns by applying curved planes to vessel surfaces while turning wheels. Patterns created by bouncing planes differ slightly each time, reflecting craftsmen’s sense. This technique adds dimensionality and shadows to vessels, creating visual and tactile enjoyment.
Hakeme
Technique creating line and wave patterns by applying brushes while turning vessels coated with slip. This technique adds movement to potentially monotonous vessel surfaces, expressing handwork’s warmth. Hakeme reflects craftsmen’s individuality from bold patterns to delicate lines.
These techniques make Koishiwara ware pottery with simple yet refined beauty. Each vessel’s hand-crafted nature allows enjoyment of subtly different expressions even with similar patterns.
Types and Design Characteristics of Koishiwara Ware
While preserving traditional techniques, Koishiwara ware has produced various vessels practical for daily life. Its characteristic patterns combine craftsmen’s handwork’s rustic beauty with modern designs suited to contemporary living. Here we explain Koishiwara ware’s types and design characteristics.
Diverse Products as Everyday Vessels
Koishiwara ware characteristically emphasizes ease of use in daily life. Beyond basic tableware like tea bowls, teacups, plates, and bowls, it produces various items suited to modern lifestyles like coffee cups, spouted bowls, and storage containers.
These vessels offer durability and ease of use, not only adding color to daily dining but also featuring easy storage and maintenance. Koishiwara ware vessels offer rich variety in forms and sizes, suitable for various uses from home cooking to special occasions.
For example, large bowls suit salads and simmered dishes, while deep plates work well for pasta and soup, demonstrating versatility across Japanese and Western cuisine.
Coexistence of Traditional Patterns and Modern Design
Koishiwara ware’s appeal lies in traditional decorative techniques like “tobikanna” and “hakeme” fusing with contemporary sensibilities. These hand-crafted patterns offer unique rhythm and warmth while creating simple, refined impressions harmonizing with modern interiors and dining tables.
Recently, new works incorporating plain surfaces and geometric patterns have increased. This has attracted audiences preferring Nordic or minimal designs, further expanding Koishiwara ware’s uses and styles.
Additionally, glaze colors have evolved, offering blue, green, and black variations alongside traditional white and brown. These new attempts expand Koishiwara ware’s possibilities while preserving tradition.
Koishiwara Ware’s New Appeal Matching Modern Living
Koishiwara ware attracts attention as pottery blending into modern life through excellent practicality and refined beauty. Simple designs and subtle decoration suit occasions from casual dining to formal settings.
Its value as interior decoration has also increased. Single flower vases, flower containers, and small decorative items harmonize with both Japanese and Western-style interiors, popular for adding warmth to rooms. Consequently, they’re often chosen as gifts, becoming special presents for important people.
Recently, young artists incorporate new ideas, creating works with innovative designs and techniques. Gaining support from various generations including those preferring Nordic or minimal designs, Koishiwara ware shines as something special maintaining craftsmen’s handwork warmth while evolving, beautifully balancing tradition and innovation.
Aesthetic Consciousness and Folk Craft Spirit in Koishiwara Ware
Koishiwara ware is known as pottery symbolizing “beauty of use,” valued for its simple, practical beauty. Natural materials and hand-decorated patterns give everyday vessels warmth and unique texture, enriching users’ lives.
Here we explain the aesthetic consciousness and folk craft spirit embodied in Koishiwara ware.
Koishiwara Ware as “Beauty of Use”
Koishiwara ware’s appeal lies in its forms and functionality as everyday vessels. Its beauty aligns with the “beauty of use” concept proposed by the Folk Craft Movement.
“Beauty of use” refers to beauty naturally emerging from pursuing practicality. Koishiwara ware vessels are sturdy and user-friendly, with simple designs enhancing food presentation, while unique decorative techniques add subtle individuality.
For example, “tobikanna” creates continuous patterns adding movement to vessels, while “hakeme” brush-applied glazes express warmth. These techniques give vessels rhythm, delighting users’ eyes.
Rather than pursuing elaborate decoration or flashiness, Koishiwara ware values modest beauty within practicality. Thus, it naturally integrates into daily life, remaining beloved by many long-term.
Texture Created by Natural Materials and Handwork
Koishiwara ware vessels’ rustic texture comes from local natural materials and careful craftsmen’s handwork. Using Toho Village clay, subtle colors emerging through glazing and firing create unique Koishiwara ware scenery.
Particularly, decorative techniques like “tobikanna” and “hakeme” symbolize Koishiwara ware. Patterns created by planes and brushes characteristically suggest natural rhythm and flow, with handwork’s irregularity creating appeal. Even with same designs, each piece shows different expressions, becoming special pieces for owners.
Through utilizing natural materials and craftsman production processes, Koishiwara ware is beloved by many as pottery expressing beauty beyond “beauty of use,” in its very existence.
Tradition Rooted in Region and Modern Innovation
Koishiwara ware has been supported by local people for 300 years, utilizing regional materials and techniques. This tradition continues today, preserved by craftsmen’s hands.
Meanwhile, Koishiwara ware continues evolving, incorporating modern innovations. Beyond traditional tobikanna and hakeme, works featuring plain surfaces, geometric patterns, and simple forms are increasing.
This creates vessels harmonizing with modern interiors and Western-style dining tables, gaining support from younger generations and international fans. Additionally, as regional traditional craft, Koishiwara ware creates opportunities for direct interaction between craftsmen and visitors through local festivals, events, and workshop tours.
Through such initiatives, Koishiwara ware serves beyond vessels as a symbol of regional culture.
Care and Tips for Long-Lasting Koishiwara Ware
While Koishiwara ware is sturdy and suitable for daily use, proper care matching its characteristics maintains beauty longer and enables extended enjoyment. Daily use can also provide enjoyment of aging changes.
Furthermore, knowing appropriate repair methods provides peace of mind for potential cracks or chips. Here we introduce specific care methods and tips for maintaining Koishiwara ware long-term.
Care Methods Suited to Koishiwara Ware’s Characteristics
While Koishiwara ware’s glazed surface resists dirt, proper care is essential due to clay’s water absorption properties. Before first use, “mezume” (pore sealing) helps prevent dirt and stains. Mezume involves simmering vessels in rice-washing water or water, filling fine clay gaps.
For daily cleaning, use small amounts of neutral detergent with soft sponges. Avoid metal scrubbers or abrasives that might damage surfaces. After washing, naturally dry in well-ventilated areas and store completely dry to prevent mold and odors.
For long-term storage, wrap in newspaper or soft cloth and store in low-humidity locations.
Conclusion
Koishiwara ware is traditional pottery combining practicality suited to daily use with warmth from craftsmen’s handwork. Understanding its characteristics and maintaining appropriate care and handling is essential for fully enjoying its appeal.
Particularly as Koishiwara ware conforms to hands and shows new expressions with time passage, it’s special craft worth nurturing through careful maintenance. Please enjoy it as a unique piece adding color to daily life while caring for it carefully.
