Japanese Pottery and Serene Simplicity- Shigaraki WareJapanese pottery is one of Japan's oldest traditional art forms. Even today, certain areas of Japan have developed their own unique styles and families of artists carry on those traditions passed down from generation to generation. Japanese Pottery is said to be home to six ancient pottery centers, Shigaraki and Echizen are two of them. From living in Nara and my wife’s hometown being in Fukui, we have an affinity for these two pottery villages. We love the variety of artistic design and colors (not to mention the reasonable prices!) in Shigaraki ware, and the rustic elegance of Echizen ware in Fukui. Visit our Online Japanese Pottery Store to see our latest offerings of original pottery that we hand-pick in Japan. The Shigaraki pottery village is located in a valley in southern Shiga bordering Mie, and close to Nara and Kyoto prefectures. It stays nestled away between the mountains and rivers, always making for a nice visit. Although the tanuki, a raccoon-dog, is a famous symbol of the area, the potters of Shigaraki produce a wide variety of items including dishes, cups, flower vases, lighting features and garden ornaments. My wife uses vases like these for her Ikebana flower arrangement, as well as flower/plant displays like the bottom picture:
At Grand Island Serene Gardens we also love the Shigaraki style of garden ornaments such as Tsukubai (water basins often found a temples for washing and purifying your hands) 
Other outside items made of Japanese pottery include stone lanterns and garden lighting. Because they are fired in a kiln like other works of Japanese pottery, these stone lanterns and garden items are lighter than the standard factory made cement or stone ones you often see. These too are all original handmade works of art. 
This area also produces beautiful indoor lighting features to create an interesting atmosphere. 
Of course their coffee cups and dishes are also beautiful. This orange color comes from the sands and clay picture found off of nearby Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. 
For a very short time, possibly only a month, this was the capital of Japan where the Court started the construction of the Great Buddha. Unfortunately, because of natural events like earthquakes and a forest fire, the court was forced to move the capital to Nara and finish building the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple. However, As mentioned before, Shigaraki ware is one of the ‘Six Old Kilns’, along with Echizen, Tamba, Bizen, Tokoname, and Seto. In the 1500’s the popularity of the tea ceremony rose and certain figures expresses the concept of “wabi-sabi” which they related to this type of pottery. The tea master Murata Juko said that Shigaraki was specifically made for the tea ceremony and that it coincided with the wabi-sabi aesthetic of serene simplicity. Later the famous masters such as Sen No Rikkyu also appreciated and used this pottery in their ceremonies. If you ever have the chance, take the time to visit the Shigaraki pottery village. Also in the area is the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park as well as the must see Miho Museum. This museum sits atop a nearby mountain with exquisite views of the other mountains in the clouds. Funded by one of the richest women in Japan and designed by one of the world’s greatest architects, this is truly a cultural and serene experience not to be missed.
Due to our love of Shigaraki’s high artistic quality, variety of colors and design, as well as affordable prices, we choose to primarily forge relationships with potters from this village. We will soon be displaying varies works of serene Japanese pottery for you to purchase for your home or as a Japanese gift for someone else, so please check back here again. Our Online Webstore of Japanese Pottery and other items Go to Echizen Pottery |
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