Enjoying Japanese pottery through the exhibition "Yakishime - Earth Metamorphosis"

The sophistication of Japanese pottery works always attracts the public

This exhibition focuses on the Yakishime, a ceramics technique of firing unglazed wares at high temperatures. In spite of being one of the most basic means of producing ceramics, Yakishime has developed in distinctive directions in Japan. The exhibition introduces an aspect of Japanese culture by studying Yakishime from the earliest examples to the contemporary works.

The exhibition introduces more than 80 works, which are divided into three sections. Section 1 is utensils used in tea ceremony, a cultural feature that has a major influence on Japanese traditional culture. Section 2 is tableware, an essential part of everyday life of Japanese people. Section 3 is a wide range of art works, created by ceramics artists using the Yakishime technique.

Yakishime pottery dates back to the fourth or fifth centuries. However, it was only from the twelfth through the seventeenth centuries that this technique took a firm footing, and was used in a substantial part of the production at major ceramics centers in Japan, namely Bizen, Shigaraki, and Tokoname.

The exhibition runs until May 14.

Following are some photos of the Yakishime pottery, which are being displayed at the exhibition:

Students marvel at the uniqueness of Japanese pottery works

Through experiencing Yakishime pottery products, viewers can realize the depth and the variety, as well as gain a better understanding of the creativity of Japanese culture

The utensils used in tea ceremony

Nerikomi pottery used in Japanese meals

Yakishime art products

The work "Dawn"

The work “Shukuenjima – The blessing fire island”

Each work shows the talent of the artists, and the depth of Japanese culture