Interview: Ryotaro Kato (Ceramic Artist)
VOICE VOL.7
"VOICE × KUTANICHATAN” Special Collaboration Exhibition
From June 19 to 27, 2021, an exhibition of the latest Kutani ware works by Kinzangama kiln was held at VOICE, a flower shop in Gaienmae, Tokyo.
Located in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kinzangama kiln specializes in Kutani ware painting and has a history of more than 110 years, producing works using traditional color painting and gilding techniques. Now in this small flower shop located in a back alley of Tokyo, a charming competition took place between colorful flowers and gorgeous vessels.
KUTANICHATAN “一茶 – issa – “
An old man and a child making tea
Works in vivid colors
A technique called “yuri-kinsai” used for decorations
KUTANICHATAN uses the “yuri-kinsai” technique, a specialty of the Kinzangama kiln. Yuri-kinsai is a technique in which gold leaf is used to create a pattern on the surface of the ceramic, which is then covered with glaze and fired. In this series, further improvements were made, producing a deeper expression that mixed the luster of the glaze with the matte texture of the gold.
While utilizing traditional techniques and ancient designs, their expressions are always fresh and beautiful. As a historic Kutani ware kiln, Kinzangama seems to be showing us a new way of craft.
Written by Kyoko Tsutsumi
