Japanese Kutani pots- Pottery by choice

Japanese Kutani white milky translucent eggshell   porcelain antique  tea pot , milk pot and cup painted   with fine natural scene in grey  and yellowish colors.Kutani is the famous  manufacturer of ceramics in Japan with distinction of representing Japanese culture in their society 

Artist marking can be seen on the objects. 

Historical background of Kutani Porcelain

Kutani is the  famous name in porcelain world    manufacturing multicolored    pottery and others in Japan.  In 1655     Lord Maeda Toshiharu ordered production of porcelain and in compliance of his orders the process of manufacturing was started in a small village called Kutani where the stone mine  existed. However the craftmen  could not succeed  in creating a quality product and as such the manufacturing process was a bonded. 

The craftman  Goto was sent to Arita to acquire better technique of production and on his return  a product in the name of Ko- Kutani was launched which remained in production  for almost 50 years using  the technology  overglazed enamels.This production was suddenly stopped in 1700  either  due to the  inavailability of pigment used in the manufacturing process or due to finanacial constraints. Thie reason is still undiscovered.  

Later on the production was  started again  but unlike Ko- Kutani which are extremely rare and most precious pieces .With the passage of time and advancement in technology  small porcelain manufacturing units came emerged in the region.. European users showed their extreme interest  in Shoza products of Kutani which were  highly in demand having captured European market . The world fairs held  in Vienna and Paris from 1873 onward the market for the products was at peak .During the world wars the production was extremely declined , however during the 20th century Kutani again emerged along with Imari and Arita porcelain of Japan as leading manufactureres and dominated  the market again.

Today hundred of companies are engaged in manufacturing Kutani porcelain with thousands of employees producing different styles with  variation and shapes  as well as  also creating  traditional designs. Tera in Japan i is the main central place  where most of the porcelain  is manufactured called as Kutani-Yaki.Besides usual utensils other objects of interest like insense burners, vases, decoration plates  and others are also manufactured .

The new Kutani porcelain  products ranges  from thick and coarse body to transparent eggshell milky white fine  porcelain.These are grey, bluish greenish yellowish  to white milky with the processing technique used by Arita.Many of the varieties are painted by  hand even now showing  its art and sophistication.