The Story of Kutani Ware/九谷燒：日本五彩陶的故事
A Journey Through Japan’s Five-Colored Porcelain Tradition
Among Japan’s many traditional crafts, Kutani ware stands out instantly.
Bold colors, expressive brushwork, and a history stretching back nearly four centuries —
it is both ancient and surprisingly modern.
This article takes you on a gentle walk through the world of Kutani porcelain.
1. The Beginning: A Stone, a Village, and a New Craft
Kutani ware was born in 1655, during the early Edo period.
When Maeda Toshiharu, the local feudal lord of the Kaga domain,
discovered porcelain stone in the small village of Kutani,
he sent his retainer Gotō Saijirō to learn the techniques of porcelain-making.
A kiln was soon established, marking the birth of what we now call Old Kutani (Ko-Kutani).
Old Kutani pieces share a powerful identity:
- Deep, confident brushwork
- Strong, masculine lines
- Rich use of the Kutani Five Colors: green, yellow, purple, dark blue, and red
- A bold, unrestrained aesthetic
They looked almost alive — intense, energetic, unapologetically expressive.
And then, suddenly, the kiln closed.
No one truly knows why.
In less than a century, Old Kutani disappeared into history,
leaving behind a legacy of mystery and beauty.
2. A Silent Century — and a Revival
More than 100 years later, during the late Edo period, the Kaga domain attempted to revive the craft.
A new kiln, Kasugayama Kiln, was built in Kanazawa.
This marked the beginning of “Revived Kutani” (Saikō Kutani).
New kilns emerged one after another:
- Miyamoto Kiln — known for its delicate red-paint fine lines
- Eiraku Kiln — known for lavish gold decorations
- Yoshidaya Kiln — aimed at restoring the bold colors of Old Kutani
With this revival, Kutani ware evolved:
more techniques, more variations, more refined artistry.
3. The World Stage: Exported Kutani of the Meiji Era
When Japan opened to the world in the Meiji era, Kutani began traveling abroad.
In 1873, artist Kutani Shōzō presented gold and red-painted works at the Vienna World Exposition.
The pieces attracted global admiration.
This era defined the identity of Kutani overseas —
“Japan Kutani,” rich in color and layered with gold, became a sought-after collectible around the world.
4. From Royal Gifts to Everyday Life
In modern times, Kutani ware has appeared as official gifts,
including being presented during royal celebrations.
Yet despite this prestige, it has also become friendly and approachable:
there are Kutani collaborations with characters, modern-style cups,
and pieces designed for casual daily use.
Tradition and contemporary design coexist beautifully.
5. The Beauty of Kutani: Color, Depth, and Emotion
What makes Kutani ware so captivating?
It has a unique aesthetic paradox:
Vivid, but gentle.
Luxurious, but never loud.
Colorful, yet surprisingly calm.
The Kutani Five Colors create transparency and depth through multiple layers of glaze.
Each piece feels like a painting — but shaped into an object you can hold.
Kutani fits naturally into:
- Japanese interior styles
- Nordic and minimalist homes
- Modern artistic spaces
Its warmth blends effortlessly with the present.
6. The Craft: Hands, Fire, and Time
Today, many Kutani studios continue to follow traditional processes:
- Hand-painted brush lines
- Multiple rounds of glazing
- Kiln firing
- Custom color mixing for every batch
A single piece often involves:
👉 More than ten steps
👉 Multiple artisans
👉 Patience, precision, and time
It is not merely a product.
It is a craft shaped by memory and intention.
7. Why Kutani Ware Is Worth Collecting
Kutani ware offers:
✅ Artistic value — every piece is a one-of-a-kind painting
✅ Cultural depth — 400 years of history
✅ Craftsmanship — impossible to mass-produce
✅ Usability — functional yet artistic
✅ Collectibility — styles vary by kiln, era, and artisan
But most importantly—
Kutani ware grows with you.
Its colors deepen over time,
its presence softens,
and it settles naturally into your home and your life.
Colored Overglaze Bowl (Artist: Isouemon Kosake, Work: “Landscape with Pavilions”)/色繪・五彩手鉢（作者：小酒 磯右衛門、作品名：色繪樓閣山水圖三組鉢）
Kanazawa Castle — Former residence of the Maeda lords of Kaga Domain/加賀藩主前田氏曾經居住的金澤城
Kutani Ware Kiln/九谷燒窯
九谷燒：日本五彩陶的故事
四百年色彩與工藝的旅程
在日本的傳統工藝之中，九谷燒是一眼難忘的存在。
色彩濃烈、筆觸奔放、歷史悠久——
卻又能自然融入現代生活。
讓我們從頭開始，走進九谷燒的世界。
一、起源：1655 年的九谷村
九谷燒的誕生可追溯至 江戶時代初期（1655 年）。
加賀藩支藩的藩主 前田利治 在九谷村發現了陶石，
並派藩士 後藤才次郎 學習製瓷技法，於是九谷窯誕生。
這段初期作品，被稱為 「古九谷」。
古九谷的特色包括：
- 大膽有力的筆線
- 九谷五彩：綠、黃、紫、紺青、赤
- 畫風深沉、剛勁、富有能量
不過，不到一百年，九谷窯突然封窯。
原因至今仍不明。
古九谷，自此成為傳奇。
二、百年沉寂後的復興：再興九谷
直到江戶後期，加賀藩為重振地方工藝，於金澤建立 春日山窯。
更多窯場接續誕生：
- 宮本窯（赤繪細描）
- 永樂窯（金襴手）
- 吉田屋窯（復興古九谷風格）
這段歷史就是 「再興九谷」。
九谷燒在這時期變得更為精緻、多元，也奠定今日的基礎。
三、面向世界：明治時代的外銷全盛
明治時期，日本走向國際。
1873 年維也納博覽會，工匠 九谷庄三 以金箔與赤繪作品驚艷世界。
從此，「Japan Kutani」 成為歐美收藏家追捧的工藝。
華麗卻沉穩的色彩，讓世界看見日本美學。
四、近代至今日：工藝走入生活
九谷燒也常被作為皇室贈禮。
據說英國查爾斯王子的結婚賀禮中，就包含九谷燒。
但九谷燒如今也很親民：
- 與角色、插畫合作
- 更簡約、可愛的日常器皿
- 現代生活風格的工藝創作
傳統與現代以最柔和的方式並存。
五、九谷燒之美：色彩、深度與情感
九谷燒最迷人的特質——
濃烈，但不刺眼。
華麗，但不浮躁。
色彩多層次，卻能自然融入家中。
九谷五彩在層層上釉後呈現出深度與透明感，
猶如畫作般細膩。
無論放在和風、北歐或現代家居，九谷燒都能自然而然融合其中。
六、工藝：從手到火，再到時間
今日的九谷工房仍保留傳統：
- 手繪描線
- 多次上釉
- 分工合作
- 耐心的窯燒
一件九谷燒往往需要：
👉 十道以上工序
👉 複數職人合作
👉 無法妥協的時間
它不是量產品，它是一件帶著人情味的藝術。