Kutani Ware Markings (九谷 Kutani porcelains )

Kutani Ware Markings are often engraved on the backs of pottery and other items.

This is an important mark that represents the brand and enhances traditional craft values.

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History of kutani (Japanese ceramic)

Kutani ware began in the middle of the 17th century (around 1655) in the village of Kutani (now Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture). It is said that at that time, Toshiharu Maeda, the feudal lord of the Kaga domain (present-day Ishikawa Prefecture), sent potters to Kutani village to fire pottery, and Kutani ware was born. The earliest Kutani ware was called "Ko kutani" and was characterized by bright colors and bold designs. Kokutani is characterized by a unique sense of color and bold patterns, and in particular the colors known as the "Kutani Five Colors" of green, yellow, deep blue, red and purple were used.

Even today, many pieces are hand-painted and hand-painted. There are craftsmen who, while inheriting traditional techniques, hand-shape and paint each piece. In particular, the overglaze painting and patterns that are characteristic of Kutani ware are often hand-painted by craftsmen, which creates subtle differences in each piece, which is what makes them so appealing.

In addition, some Kutani ware kilns and artists insist on making their products completely by hand, and their unique style and design are reflected in their works. This hand-made process gives Kutani ware pieces a warmth and individuality, making them of special value to collectors and enthusiasts.

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Marks on Kutani Ware in the Edo Period

Many pieces of Kutani ware have had marks on the back since ancient times. In the Edo period, the marks included the name of the kiln or characters that signified good fortune, such as the character "fuku" (luck). In the Meiji period (1868-1912), inscriptions other than these characters began to be made.

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Kutani Shoza and the Ono Kiln

The production of Kutani ware was temporarily suspended in the late Edo period, but it became popular again under the influence of Shoza. He introduced new techniques and designs and revived Kutani ware.

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Shoza's Fame and Marking

From the end of the Edo period to the beginning of the Meiji period, as Shoza perfected the technique of iroe kinrande and produced representative Kutani products, his fame grew dramatically, and one-line inscriptions of his family name, "Kutani Shoza," were added to indicate that the work was by a master craftsman (a so-called brand). Although many pieces were not directly made by Shoza, they were considered to have been made by him.

Kutani Shoza inherited the tradition of Kutani pottery, but introduced new painting techniques. His style is extremely detailed and colorful, especially in his extravagant designs with skillful use of akae and kinsai. Kutani Shoza excelled in the technique of akae and in painting flora, fauna, landscapes and people with fine brush strokes. The vivid colors and detailed depiction of akae make his work extremely appealing.

This style, known as the "Shoza style," was highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad, and won numerous awards at exhibitions during the Meiji era. In particular, as part of the export ceramics program promoted by the Meiji government (19th century), Shoza's work appeared in many overseas markets and gained a reputation as a traditional Japanese craft, gaining international popularity during the Taisho period (1912-1926). His techniques and style were revolutionary in the production techniques and designs of Japanese ceramics and kutaniyaki, and had a profound influence on later generations of kutaniyaki craftsmen.

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Popularity of Personal Inscriptions in Meiji Kutani

This method of inscription became popular in the subsequent Meiji Kutani period, and potters who were known as master craftsmen began to inscribe their own personal inscriptions, either with confidence or on the advice of a pottery merchant.

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Modern Variety of Marks

Today, most of the marks have the name of the potter, but there are many different types. It is interesting to look at them.

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Kutani ware pieces

1. Large Kutani Style Dish

◼️Masterpieces of Ko-Kutani

Works from the Ko-Kutani period are highly regarded among Kutani-yaki. In particular, the boldly designed platters using the five colors of Kutani (green, yellow, dark blue, red, and purple) are known as representative examples of Koya ware. These platters depict natural scenes, animals, and flowers, and are characterized by their powerful designs and colors.

2. Works by Tokuda Hachijukichi

◼️Works by Living National Treasure

Tokuda Yashokichi, a Kutaniyaki artist, is a potter recognized as a Living National Treasure and his works are considered representative of Kutaniyaki. He is particularly known for his use of deep blue and green glazes, and his works are credited with opening up new possibilities for Kutaniyaki.

3. gold brocade by Yoshida Minori

◼️Elaborate gold painting technique

Yoshida Minori is known for his use of kinrande (gold brocade) technique in kutaniyaki. His works are characterized by lavish painting in gold and red tones and intricate, delicate decoration. Yoshida Minoru's works are also widely recognized as representative of Kutani ware.

4. Overglaze enamels by Kutani Shoza

◼️Exquisite coloring techniques

Kutani Shoza, active in the 19th century, was an important artist during the revival of Kutaniyaki, and his works are characterized by their detailed depiction and vivid colors. His works are characterized by detailed rendering and vivid colors. He is especially famous for his motifs of flowers, birds, wind and the moon painted using the overglaze enamel technique, which established a new style of Kutani ware expression.

5. Kutani Manekineko (Waving Cat)

◼️Popular as a good luck charm

The waving cat, made with traditional Kutani Yaki techniques, is another representative Kutani Yaki piece. In particular, Kutani Yaki waving cats, with their vibrant colors and intricate painting, are widely popular as good-luck charms and have become one of the genres that symbolize the charm of Kutani ware.

6. Kutani Ware Vases and Tea Sets

◼️ A fusion of tradition and modernity

Kutani Ware vases and tea sets are also available in a variety of styles, some using the traditional Kutani Gosai colors and others incorporating contemporary designs. These pieces express Kutani Yaki's appeal for both practicality and beauty.