Hello everyone reading this blog.
My name is Yokoyama, the owner of Koto Potter.
This time we interviewed Mori Shunji, the third generation head of Shunzan Kiln, a Kiyomizu ware kiln that has been in business since 1917.
Mori Shunji is a friendly and generous person who inherits tradition and culture.
We asked how the current Shunzan Kiln has developed and what the future holds for Shunzan Kiln.
Interview: The history and techniques of Shunzan Kiln, Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki
Yokoyama : I believe the Kiyomizu ware kiln, Shunzan Kiln, was founded in 1917. Can you tell us about its history?
Shunzan-san : Yes, Shunzan Kiln was started by my grandfather in 1917. He was originally a Kutani ware craftsman in Ishikawa Prefecture, but he thought he could do better work in Kyoto, so he moved there to Kyoto, the home of Kiyomizu ware and Kyo ware. He then got involved in Kyoto City's industrial testing, and eventually opened a kiln at the foot of Sennyuji Temple, and that's how the foundation of Shunzan Kiln was established.
*Kutani ware: A traditional pottery representative of Ishikawa prefecture, characterized by vivid colors and gorgeous painting.
*Industrial testing: Currently the Kyoto City Industrial Technology Research Institute. Has been researching ceramic glazes and colors since the Taisho era.
Yokoyama : So that's how it happened. You are the third generation of the family, so how are the works of "Shunzan" being passed down?
Toshiyama : Well, I'm the third generation, and while I protect the traditions of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki, I also value the warmth of modern handmade pottery. After graduating from high school, I learned the basics at a training school, and then trained for six years under a Kyoto potter named Miyashita-sensei. His guidance was strict and I hardly got paid, but I trained every day, and that is the foundation of my current attitude towards Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki.
*Miyashita Sensei: The late ceramicist Miyashita Zenji was a master of modern ceramics who was active mainly in the Nitten Exhibition. He had a pottery studio in the same Sennyuji area as Shunzan. He was also Shunzan's teacher.
Yokoyama : I think the technique of Kenzan copying is distinctive at Shunzan Kiln. Could you tell us about that technique and how you reproduce the works?
*Kenzan copies: These works reproduce the techniques and style of Ogata Kenzan, a ceramic artist from the Edo period, and are characterized by their vivid colors and unique decorations based on bold natural themes.
Shunzan-san : It's a copy of Kenzan. My grandfather had a different style, but my father started making copies of Kenzan, and he started making them through a wholesaler in Kyoto. They are characterized by Kenzan's unique designs and paintings, and are all handmade at Shunzan Kiln, from the material to the painting. I think the beauty of traditional crafts like Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki is the warmth and individuality that can only be achieved through handcrafting.
Yokoyama : Could you tell us more about the techniques and attention to detail that are unique to Shunzan Kiln when it comes to producing handmade pottery?
Toshiyama : When we finish Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki pottery on the potter's wheel, we think it's important to leave a little "unevenness" in the shape. If the shape is too perfect, the flavor of handmade pottery is lost. I think the natural finish adds warmth to Kyoto's traditional pottery.
Yokoyama : Please tell us about the ingenuity with which traditional crafts such as Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki are arranged in a modern style. If you have any concrete examples of the fusion of tradition and modernity that Shunzan-gama aims to achieve, please let us know.
Toshiyama : That's right. In addition to replicating Kenzan's work, we also incorporate Kiyomizu-yaki designs featuring seasonal flowers. We use vibrant colors, gold leaf, and glittering paints such as luster to make Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki pottery more compatible with modern life. We hope that with these kinds of ingenious ideas, Toshiyama Kiln's works will help people appreciate the beauty of traditional crafts that also look great as interior decoration.
*Luster: A technique in which a glaze containing metal is used to give the pottery a glossy finish during firing, giving it a metallic shine and making it appear more luxurious.
Yokoyama : For those who are purchasing Shunzangama Kiyomizu-yaki or Kyo-yaki for the first time, please give us some advice on what kind of tableware you recommend and what points to consider when choosing.
Toshiyama : Our pottery has a warmth that can only be achieved through handmade pottery, and many of our pieces are perceived as "cute" or "beautiful" when people see them. They are great for everyday use, and they brighten up the atmosphere of the dining table. I think the appeal of Toshiyama Pottery is the texture of the pottery itself, and the flavor that emerges the more you use it.
Yokoyama : Please tell us about Shunzan Kiln's vision for the future of traditional crafts and the efforts it is making to communicate their appeal to younger generations and overseas markets.
Toshiyama : Recently, Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki pottery have been attracting attention overseas. The uniquely Japanese design of the four seasons is especially appreciated, and I'm glad that people are experiencing Japanese culture through Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki. I hope that the younger generation will also realize the value of handmade pottery as a luxury for everyday use.
Yokoyama : Finally, please tell us how to enjoy Shunzangama's unique pottery experience and tour the showroom at the foot of Sennyuji Temple.
Toshiyama-san : At our studio, you can experience making Kiyomizu ware while observing the production process. *In the Raku ware experience, the ware is fired in a short time and you can take it home on the same day. There is also a painting experience using unglazed clay copied from Kenzan's work, so we hope that you will enjoy the depth of handmade pottery and the charm of traditional crafts to the fullest.
*Raku ware: Traditional Kyoto pottery, characterized by a unique texture achieved through rapid firing and cooling.
What did you think?
Shunzangama is evolving its wares to suit modern sensibilities while preserving the traditions of Kyoto ware and Kiyomizu ware that have been passed down since Kenzan.
Please continue to create beautiful and gorgeous Kiyomizu ware!
