Kagoshima [Ceramics] SATSUMA Yaki (Ceramics)

Categories
Art / Traditional crafts
Area
Kyushu Kagoshima
Shops
Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square
Update date
2023-01-06

The origins of Satsuma Yaki date back to the 16th century when the local feudal lord, Shimazu, returned from the Korean peninsula with some potters.
Over the next 400 years, the wonderful surroundings of Kagoshima and the tireless efforts of local potters led to a number of original developments, giving rise to various styles that are still produced today. In 1867, the Shimazu clan exhibited some pieces of Satsuma Yaki at the Exposition Universelle world's fair in Paris, enchanting the people of Europe. Soon, the Satsuma name became known throughout the world.

Today, kilns producing work embodying various techniques can be found all over the prefecture.

A feature of Satsuma Yaki is its variety of styles, including Katano, Ryumonji, Naeshirogawa, Nishi-mochida, Hirasa and Tanegashima. The three main groups of products made in the area are white pottery, black pottery and porcelain.

White Satsuma Yaki has a faint yellow color and a plain glaze covered with fine cracks, to which dyes, enamels and gold leaf are applied.

Black Satsuma Yaki has a darkish brown base color due to the high levels of in the clay, which is colored with black, dark brown or amber glazes.

The vast range of products includes tableware, vases, decorative items, tea ceremony items and drinking sets.

SATSUMA Yaki (Ceramics) (details page)

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