Notes on the Art of Pottery

All 50 Arrow Gallery Anagama Kiln Art and Culture Artisan Ceramics Artisan Craft Artisan Pottery Ash Glaze Bizen Ware Ceramic Art Ceramic Glazes Ceramic History Ceramic Philosophy Ceramic Process Ceramic Texture Clay Processing Firing Experience Flame Effects Folk Craft Functional Art Glaze Glazes Glazing Handmade Ceramics Handmade Pottery Handmade Tableware Hashi Japanese Pottery Plus Hashi Pottery Hashi Pottery Plus High-Temperature Firing Japanese Aesthetics Japanese Pottery Kiln Firing Kiln Transformation Local Materials Mashiko Ware Mingei Natural Clay Natural Glazing Onta Ware Pottery and Fire Pottery Firing Pottery Inspiration Pottery Philosophy Pottery Techniques Pottery Traditions Shigaraki Ware Shokunin Surface Effects Tea Ceremony Traditional Japanese Crafts Traditional Pottery Wabi-Sabi Wood Firing Wood-Fired Pottery Yohen
What Makes Japanese Pottery Unique? A Look at Tradition, Philosophy, and Influence

What Makes Japanese Pottery Unique? A Look at Tradition, Philosophy, and Influence

Japanese pottery is renowned for its deep connection to materiality, process, and philosophy. While Hashi Pottery does not sell pottery made in Japan, our artisans are deeply influenced by Japanese traditions—some are Japanese, some have studied in Japan, some have trained under Japanese masters, and all share a respect for craftsmanship as a lifelong practice. From the transformative effects of yōhen (窯変) in the kiln to the philosophy of Mingei (民芸), which values beauty in everyday use, this post explores what makes Japanese pottery distinctive and how its influence continues in the work of potters worldwide, including those at Hashi.

— Yago Colas
Tagged: Artisan Pottery Bizen Ware Ceramic Glazes Ceramic History Ceramic Philosophy Clay Processing Folk Craft Functional Art Handmade Ceramics Handmade Tableware Hashi Pottery Japanese Aesthetics Japanese Pottery Kiln Transformation Local Materials Mashiko Ware Mingei Natural Clay Onta Ware Pottery Inspiration Pottery Techniques Shigaraki Ware Shokunin Tea Ceremony Traditional Japanese Crafts Wabi-Sabi Wood-Fired Pottery Yohen