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Stoneware made in Bizen, Okayama Prefecture, since the 12th century. Bizen is an unglazed stoneware usually fired with red pine wood. The clay used is also from the Bizen area of Japan (central city is Imbe).
Most lovers of Bizen pottery know that the glory days of this medieval ware spanned the late Muromachi (1333 - 1573), all of Momoyama (1573-1603), and early Edo periods (1603 - 1867). It wasn't until the 1930s that Kaneshige Toyo revived the lost ancient ways and cast the "Momoyama spell" over the twentieth century and up to where we are today. Says Robert Yellin: "I would say that at least 90% of all current Bizen potters make pots in the same shapes that were first made during Bizen's golden years, those being in the Momoyama period."
In the current Bizen scene, there are three potters who stand out in their excellence in instilling the Momoyama spirit and technique in their creations. All three have researched kilns, clay, and processes for many years and all are in their sixties. Their Bizen is quite classical and often very exhilarating; they are Harada Shuroku, Mori Togaku, and Abe Anjin. See below links to learn about these artists, and other Bizen potters and topics.
PHOTOS: Top to Bottom, Fujiwara Yu, Yamamoto Toshu, Kaneshige Toyo, Fujiwara Kei, Harada Shuroku.
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