Skill in coloring ”Kutani-yaki”
”Kutani-yaki” is mainly made in the southern parts of Ishikawa Prefecture, such as Kanazawa, Kaga, and Nomi. The colorful pottery is indeed breathtaking, appreciated by all who see them. There is one technique used in ”Kutani-yaki” that stands out. It is ”yuuri kinsai”. It is a technique of drawing a design with gold foil in different thickness on pre-baked ceramics, and baking it one last time after applying a coat of transparent glaze (glass, etc.).
We visited Minori Yoshida, who is designated Important Intangible Cultural Asset holder (Living National Treasure) with his technique of “yuuri kinsai”. He started ceramics when in high school and has continued producing and conducting research for more than 60 years.
Minori Yoshida’s work consist of two colors, the foundation and gold foil. The simple tone of the colors make it look gentle and refreshing, while the gold foil in different thickness expresses the minute details of the designs such as butterfly wings and veins on leaves, demonstrating its profundity.
Production area for golf foil
More than 95% of the gold foil in Japan is made here in Kanazawa. The technique “yuuri kinsai”, fusion of gold foil with ”Kutani-yaki” was only possible in Ishikawa.
As you may know, gold foil is very difficult to handle. Originally gold foil could only be cut in a straight line. Therefore gold foil was used to cover the entire surface or used in a geometrical design. However, Minori Yoshida developed the method to cut gold foil in a curve by setting the foil between paper.
Nakata experienced pasting leaf-shaped gold foil onto a small dish. The foil is pasted onto the dish with wheat starch. As expected, the gold foil fluttered around and was hard to handle.
Relaying new techniques with new Styles
His son, Yukio Yoshida also carries on the traditional art of ”Kutani-yaki”.
He won the Takamatsunomiya Commemoration Award at the 57th Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition in 2010. Nakata was puzzled by his works, commenting, ”I’ve never seen ceramics like this before.”
Yukio Yoshida coats a layer of water repelling the glaze before putting on a coat of transparent glaze, to express ”water” as the glaze scatters over the water, creating a design on its own. He then adds layers of paint in different colors and completes the work with gold foil. The translucent effect along with the coating of different colors creates a gentle expression, which make it look non-ceramic.
The impression it creates is fresh, but the technique is traditional.
”Yuuri kinsai” technique, which uses multiple colors and pictures on beautiful ”Kutani-yaki”.
It is a technique that has been handed down through each generation and incorporates modern style in the present.
