Japanese Arts and CraftsJapanese crafts often use materials common to other cultures, but in their own unique way. Simple crafts includeorigami, calligraphy,bonsaiandikebana. More complicated crafts include woodwork such as kokeshi dolls, embroidery such astemariballs and Japanesepottery.In the late 19th and then again in the late 20th century, Japanese popular and traditional culture found a receptive Western audience. Its arts, such as tanka and haiku poetry, Bunraku puppetry and Noh theatre, grew in popularity. Like any other culture in the world, Japan's has a wide number of influences as well as homegrown traditions. Its pottery owes a lot to Korea and its calligraphy and temari to China.Origami began during Japans self-imposed isolation in the 17th century; known as the Edo Period. Like many Japanese names, the term is a combination of two words: fold, orori, and paper, orkami/gami.

Shodo, or Japanese calligraphy, is more of an art form than a craft, but traditional Japanese crafts are employed at its every level. Silk and cloth-based crafts have also had a long history in Japan.

Ikebana and bonsai are traditional Japanese crafts concerning nature. Ikebana is the creation of something artificial using natural materials, though during the 20th century, more artificial supplements like paper and plastic found their way into the art.

Finally pottery remains one of the most expensive Japanese crafts to buy. Japanese porcelain and pottery, called tojiki, yakimono and/or tgei, is one of the country's oldest art forms, dates back to theNeolithicperiod. Kilns have producedearthenware,pottery,stoneware,glazedpottery, glazed stoneware,porcelain, and blue-and-white ware.Bizen pottery, for all its simplicity, is expensive. It owes its origin to Korean immigrants in the fourth century AD and maintains a simple quality. Many traditional Japanese pots contain a single flaw, such as a thumb-print, in order to display their beauty through imperfection.

Raku PotteryRakupotteryis created with a specific ceramic firing process that uses both fire and smoke to create unique patterns and designs. The piece is first bisque fired, then it is glazed and undergoes a raku firing process. The firing process requires a special rakukilnthat is fueled by propane and reaches temperatures of about 1,800F (about 982C).In order to complete the firing process, the pottery must remain in the kiln for approximately 30 minutes. It is then removed from the kiln using specially designed raku tongs. While the raku pottery piece is still hot and glowing, it is placed inside a metal can full of combustible materials. The heat emitted from the pottery causes these materials to catch on fire.After the materials inside the metal can catch on fire, a lid is placed over the can and the pottery is sealed inside. The piece is capable of withstanding these high temperatures and the fire within the can because it is made from a special type of clay that is capable of withstanding thermal shock. Traditional pottery clays, on the other hand, would crack from the drastic temperature changes.As the fire consumes the oxygen within the can, it also draws the oxygen out of the pottery and its glaze. This process is calledpost fire reduction. It this stage that creates the unique look of raku pottery. The resulting patterns and colors are unpredictable, as they are created through the natural process of oxygen removal.

After the raku pottery remains in the sealed metal can for about 15 minutes, it is removed and placed in a can of water. This freezes the patterns that were created during the post fire reduction stage. The amount of time a piece should remain in the cooling water largely depends on the piece and its size.

Art of KyotoBefore Tokyo, the capital and the seat of theImperial Courtfor over 1000 years wasKyoto. The great cityhas set the quality standard for Japanesearts and crafts. Members of the Imperial Court were particularly influential patrons and practitioners of the arts, and their influence resulted in the development of many popular art forms. The city remains the most important center of traditional Japanesecraftstoday.Potteryis a common craft throughout Japan and one ofKyoto's most popular specialties. Of the different styles of Kyoto pottery (kyo-yaki), Kiyomizu pottery is the most famous. This ceramic ware and porcelain is hand painted with elaborate designs and often used in thetea ceremony. Kiyomizu pottery is named after the area aroundKiyomizudera Temple, where it was first developed. It is still widely available for purchase in stores around Kiyomizudera.Kyoto'skimonoare also regarded to be among Japan's finest specimen. Two methods of kimono manufacturing native toKyotoare silk weaving (nishijin-ori) and silk dyeing (kyo-yuzen). The silk weaving method was developed as a result of demand from theImperial Courtfor beautiful fabrics and elegant clothing and involves dyeing the yarn before weaving it into patterns and images on fabrics. In the silk dyeing method, the images and patterns are dyed after the fabric has been produced.The first evidence ofJapanese dollsdates from theJomon Period. However,Kyoto dolls(kyo-ningyo) became popular during theHeian Period, when they were thought to bring luck and health to children. Gradually, thedollsbecame popular with daughters of aristocrats in theImperial Courtand the craft was further developed. Kyoto dolls are still one of the more popular Kyoto specialties.If you are visiting Kyoto and you want to learn all about the citys wonderful cultural and art heritage, you can visit Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts (Fureaikan).

Tea Ceremony TheJapanese tea ceremony, also called theWay of Tea, is aquite sophisticated cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation ofmatcha, powdered greentea. Grandmasters of the Japanese tea ceremony were always searching for the most suitable pottery and ceramics to use for serving tea. Every tea master had his own preference for a certail clay type or school of pottery which had distinct colors and shapes.There are six main schools of pottery recognized for their long history and popularity in Japan:

Bizen yaki: Japanese unglazed ceramic. This high-fired ceramic ware is produced in the city of Bizen (town of Imbe, now Okayama Prefecture); It is known for its long firings in climbing kilns, with resulting heavy ash deposits and other effects. Bizen yaki originated in 12th century.

Echizen Yaki: Japanese unglazed ceramic. This high-fired ceramic ware is produced in Echizen domain (now Fukui Prefecture), influenced by the Sueki wares of the Heian Period (794-1192).

Seto yaki: Japanese high-fired ceramic ware produced in the Seto and Mino domains (Gifu Prefecture). It is famous for its production of shino, yellow seto, black seto, and oribe. Originated in late 16th century. Oribe ware is named after the great tea master Furuta Shigenari also known as Furuta Oribe. Oribe ware is most identifiable for its use of green copper glaze and bold painted design. Furuta Oribe was the founder of the Oribe school of tea ceremony called Oribe Ryuu. He was particularly fond of this Oribe ware and often used this kind of ceramic in his preparation of green tea.

Shigaraki yaki: Japanese high-fired, unglazed ceramic ware produced in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture; famous for ash deposits and distinctive forms; originated around 12th century, spread from Tokoname and Atsumi.

Tamba yaki: Japanese ceramic ware, produced in Tachikui, Hyogo Prefecture (near Kyoto). Tamba ware originated in the medieval period, and is typically a style used for storage jars and vases.

KintsugiHave you ever seen Japanese pottery that are broken and restored using the golden-like paste in between broken pieces? Kintsugi, which literally means golden joinery is theJapanese artof fixing brokenpotterywithlacquerresin dusted or mixed with powderedgold,silver, orplatinuma method similar to themaki-etechnique.It can be also sometimes calledKintsukuroi meaning golden repair. As aphilosophyit speaks to breakage and repair becoming part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.Throughout the long history and tradition of Japanese lacquerware, at some point it may have been combined withmaki-eas a replacement for other ceramic repair techniques. One theory is kintsugi may have originated when JapaneseshogunAshikaga Yoshimasasent a damaged Chinesetea bowlback toChinafor repairs in the late 15th century.[6]When it was returned, repaired with ugly metal staples, it may have prompted Japanese craftsmen to look for a more aesthetic means of repair. Collectors became so enamored of the new art that some were accused of deliberately smashing valuable pottery so it could be repaired with the gold seams of kintsugi.[1]Kintsugi became closely associated withceramic vesselsused for chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony).[2]While the process is associated with Japanese craftsmen the technique was applied to ceramic pieces of other origins including China, Vietnam, Korea.There are a few major styles or types of Kintsugi, namely: Crack(?), the use of gold dust and resin or lacquer to attach broken pieces with minimal overlap or fill-in from missing pieces Piece Method(?), where a replacement ceramic fragment is not available and the entirety of the addition is gold or gold/lacquer compound Joint Call(?), where a similarly shaped but non-matching fragment is used to replace a missing piece from the original vessel creating apatchworkeffect.

Maneki NekoI am sure you have already seen a Maneki Neko somewhere yet you did not know it was called as such. The Maneki Neko, or beckoning (waving) cat, is a Japanese sculpturalgood luck charmwhich has spread to many other parts of the world, particularly those with a large Japanese population. By tradition, keeping a Maneki Neko in the home or business is supposed to bring good fortune and money to the owner. Many stores which specialize in Japanese cultural items stock beckoning cats, in a range of colors, sizes, and materials. The most common is a ceramic tri-colored cat in white, brown, and amber.

The origins of the Maneki Neko appear to lie in the mid 1800s, between the late Edo period and the early Meiji. Cats, especially tricolored cats, have played an important role in Japanese culture for centuries, often serving as good luck charms or indicators of good fortune. In Japan, it is believed that when a cat washes its face, company will come to visit. The early beckoning cats were actually depicted washing their faces.By the early 1900s, the Maneki Neko had become an extremely popular sculpture in Japan, and the cats began to appear raising their paws in a welcoming gesture. In Japan, the cats are sold with their paws facing outwards, mimicking the gesture of welcome used by Japanese people. Outside of Japan, the cats may face the backs of their paws forward, in a gesture more familiar to Westerners. According to popular belief, a cat with a raised left paw is supposed to bring customers, and a lifted right paw will bring about money and good fortune. In some cases, both paws are raised.There are a number of alternate names in English for the Maneki Neko, including Welcoming Cat, Lucky Cat, Fortune Cat, and Money Cat. Although the cats are often produced in a tricolored bobtail pattern, they can also be found in colors like pure white or black, red, or even pink.

Kamada KojiInside a modest kiln located in eastern Kyoto, tenmoku artist Kamada Koji harnesses the powers of creation to make ceramic vessels of unimaginable beauty. Formed from earth and baptized by fire, his works are imbued with the elements of mystery, energy, and shimmering light. It is like capturing this chaos, pouring it into a cup, and freezing that moment in time - to create a precious jewel to hold in your hands and appreciate for a lifetime.Mr. Kamada's career as a ceramist began in 1968 when, under the guidance of his teacher, Tadashi Shimizu, he decided to pursue a life in pottery making. During these early years, Mr. Kamada fired his pots at a community kiln located along Kyoto's Gojo-zaka Street - the same noborigama (climbing kiln) where mingei artist Kawai Kanjiro fired his own distinctive style of iron-glazed pottery years before.It was here where the young artist's fascination with the changing character of tenmoku glazes was born. When the wood burning noborigama was closed in 1980, he decided to continued his pursuit of this elusive glaze by building his own kiln at his house in Kyoto's Fushimi district.Today, Kamada Koji is one of a small handful of Japanese ceramists who have chosen to devote their lives to the research and production of tenmoku. Through years of experimentation, refinement, and patience, he clarified a distinctly modern vision of this ancient Chinese glaze and, in the process, built a reputation as one of Kyoto's most outstanding contemporary potters.Mr. Kamada's busy exhibition schedule includes several of Japan's prestigious department store galleries - major patrons of the arts - and a number of other smaller venues. Additionally, his tea ceremony bowls (chawan), sake cups, and vases have won the admiration of collectors and dazzled attendants to galleries and museums abroad. In 2005, his work was granted permanent display at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Hagi Yaki PotteryHagiyaki Pottery (or Hagi Yaki) is one of the most famous pottery types in Japan. The skills for making this craft was imported into Japan from Korea in the early 1600s. As with many of the major potteries in Japan, the origins of Hagi yaki can be traced back to the influx of Korean potters to Japan following military manoeuvres abroad. Hagiyaki flourished during theEdo Period(1603-1867) and was highly prized as tea wares for thetea ceremony.Potters mix different types of local clay. The most standard result is a pink-orange color. Wares are formed on the wheel and decorated with translucent glaze made offeldsparand ash. The signature chip located on the bottom is a local tradition from theEdoperiod when potters would deliberately disfigure their wares in order to sell them to merchants instead of presenting them as gifts to theMri clan.The color of Hagiyaki Pottery changes over time with use, as tea residuals enter the miniscule openings on its surface. This characteristic is highly appreciated by tea enthusiasts. Hagiyaki Pottery remains popular to this day. Many shops in town sell Hagiyaki tea wares, cup and bowls. Visitors can also view Hagiyaki Pottery at the museums listed below:The Yoshika Taibi Memorial Museum is located in the outskirts of the city. It presents a large collection of valuable Hagiyaki Pottery, as well as ceramic pieces and paintings done by the artist and potter whom the museum is named after. In front of the museum is a workshop where visitors can observe the making of Hagiyaki, and a shop where Hagiyaki wares can be purchased.The Hagi Uragami Museum is housed in a modern building within short walking distance from theformer castle town. It exhibits art works of Hagiyaki Pottery,ukiyo-eand contemporary art. On showcase are valuable Hagiyaki pieces, some of which have been preserved for centuries.

ShinoCeramic glaze is a glassy substance that has been applied to a ceramic object, and then fired to meld it with the ceramic. Ceramic glaze may be used for purely decorative reasons, to strengthen the underlying ceramic, or to waterproof the vessel. Ceramic glaze is used for everything from vases, to bowls, to plates, to decorative pieces of ceramic artwork. Early glaze was used primarily to makeearthenwarevessels suitable to hold drinks and liquid foods, since without the glaze the clay simply soaks up the liquid overtime, imbuing the vessel with its taste, and weakening it.The earliest ceramic glaze appeared in Mesopotamia in the 9th century BCE, on decorative tiles. Centuries later this glaze was adapted to be used in drinking vessels, leading to a great improvement in their use.The Shino glaze is a generic term for a family ofpottery glazes. They tend to range in color from milky white to orange, sometimes with charcoal grey spotting, known as "carbon trap" which is the trapping of carbon in the glaze during the firing process.[1]The term also refers toJapanese potterymade with the Shino glaze.The first Shino glaze was developed inJapanduring theMomoyama period(15681600), inkilnsin theMinoandSetoareas. The glaze, composed primarily of ground localfeldsparand a small amount of local clay, produced a satiny white color. It was the first white glaze used in Japanese ceramics. Wares decorated with Shino were fired in theAnagamakilns used at that time.Anagamakilns were single-chambered kilns made from a trench in a hillside that was covered with an earthen roof. As the anagama kilns were replaced by the multi-chamberednoborigamakilns during the first decade of the 17th century, Shino was supplanted by theoribeglazes used in the newer kilns. Shino enjoyed a brief revival in the 19th century, but then faded into obscurity.

TenmokuTenmoku(also spelled "temmoku" and "temoku") is a dark glaze with a surface that resembles oilspotting. Like the celadon porcelain, Tenmoku signifies the mysterious oriental quality as the oldest glazed pottery. Tenmoku now used all over the world was originally named in Japan, yet the root is the Tenmoku Mountain in China. Tenmoku bowls have been used as the fine art for the tea ceremony.Five Tenmoku bowls were designated as national treasures and Eleven arts of it were recognized as important cultural properties. It is said that all of the fine Tenmoku bowls are in Japan.Tenmoku is made offeldspar,limestone, andiron oxide. The more quickly a piece is cooled, the blacker the glaze will be. Tenmoku takes its name from the Japanese:ten moku; English: Heaven's Eye mountain temple inChinawhere iron-glazed bowls were used for tea.Tenmokus are known for their variability. During their heating and cooling, several factors influence the formation of iron crystals within the glaze. A long firing process and a claybody which is also heavily colored with iron increase the opportunity for iron from the clay to be drawn into the glaze. While the glaze is molten, iron can migrate within the glaze to form surface crystals, as in the "oil spot" glaze, or remain in solution deeper within the glaze for a rich glossy color.

Although Tenmoku bowls are generally known as black, yet the color can be blue. The color range can be from dark plum to yellow, brown to black. Tenmoku as well as celadon porcelain is colored with iron. The color changes based on the amount of iron that is melted into the glaze through the firing process. That is why Tenmoku utensils look crystal in the glaze and even mysterious, for Tenmoku is heavily iron-glazed, compared with the celadon porcelain.