Expression of Ceramics Where Even the Slightest Mistake Is Not Permitted
Enchanted by Crystalline Glazes
The Sennyuji area is a historic pottery town dotted with many kilns.
The narrow, winding streets and lined eaves retain the feel of old Kyoto's townscape.
The workshop of Goun Maeda, who has been in the pottery business for generations, is also located in the Sennyuji area.
(Photo of the workshop building)
The studio is much deeper than one would imagine from its width, with separate spaces for each pottery task.
It is an ancient workshop with a sense of history.
The intricate workshop is lined with tools of all sizes, as well as huge machines that are taller than the craftsmen themselves.
All of the tools are well-used, evoking the complexity and rigor of Goun's pottery-making.
The technique that Goun is working on is "zinc crystals."
The specially formulated glaze changes during firing in the kiln, creating glittering crystals that can be described as either flowers or clouds.
It is a technique that requires meticulous calculations, strict temperature control, and in-depth knowledge of glazes.
(A teacup with a special glaze applied before firing)
The glaze is applied several layers thicker than that of regular ceramics.
It melts and flows down in a high-temperature kiln, and at a certain temperature, beautiful crystals appear.
(Image of crystalline glaze)
It is hard to imagine from the gorgeous and elegant appearance of the crystalline glaze, but the actual pottery-making process is very hard.
Beautiful works are created through hard work with no shortcuts.