Japanese Ceramics
Shigaraki-yaki (Shigaraki ceramic pieces) One of the original six ceramic regions (kilns) in Japan, Shigaraki-yaki has its beginnings in the Kamakura era (1160 a.d.) when Kamakura was the capital of Japan. Shigaraki-yaki is noted for it use of impurities in the clay to produce colors of red, green, and blue when fired in a kiln. The random colors and shapes found in Shigaraki-yaki pieces are highly regarded as keeping with the gnatural beautyh and not shaped by human intervention.
Mino-yaki (Mino ceramic pieces) Mino-yaki has its roots during the beginning of the Heian era (around 800 a.d.) within the Mino area of Nagoya. Within the Mino-yaki (Mino ceramic pieces), there are four established styles which include Oribe-yaki (Oribe ceramic style), Shino-yaki (Shino ceramic style), Kize-yaki (Kize ceramic style), and Setoguro-yaki (Setoguro ceramic style). Many of the Mino-yaki or Mino style pieces remain today since Feudal Lords, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi kept this are as their stronghold. Protection during the worst of times as well as the feudal lords love of the tea ceremony has contributed to the reason Mino-yaki has flourished for so long.
