Every piece of Arita porcelain begins long before the painting. First, the clay body itself must be shaped. Here in Arita, porcelain stone is refined into a smooth, white clay, which is then formed into vessels.

In this episode of Japanese Pottery Words, we follow the shaping process at our kiln in Arita, Japan, and introduce nine words our artisans use every day.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/De_7LZ4RC6i/?rpxt=MW00Y2txYm93ZHNsYw==

1. 成形 — seikei (Shaping)

Seikei is the process of forming a vessel from clay — the moment a shapeless lump becomes a finished form.

At our kiln, we also use molds to shape our pieces. Molds allow us to reproduce the same form accurately, again and again.

Even so, each piece is finished by hand, one at a time.

2. 脱型 — dakkē (Demolding)

Once the clay has firmed up enough, it is released from the mold. This process is called dakkē.

If the clay is removed too early, the piece may lose its shape. If left too long, it may crack as it shrinks during drying.

The right moment is not determined by a clock, but by the artisan’s sense of touch and experience.

3. 削る — kezuru (Trimming)

Using a trimming tool called a kezuri kanna, the artisan shaves away excess clay and refines the vessel’s shape. This process is called kezuru.

Details such as the foot of a bowl and the curve of a cup are shaped at this stage, helping determine how comfortable a piece feels in your hands.

It is delicate work.

4. やすりをかける — yasuri o kakeru (Sanding)

Files and other abrasive tools are used to smooth rough spots and remove marks left by the mold.

It is quiet, patient work, but the difference can be felt the moment you pick up the finished piece.

5. 印をつける — shirushi o tsukeru (Marking)

The artisan uses a pencil to mark the exact spot where a hole needs to be made in the clay body.

6. 穴をあける — ana o akeru (Making a Hole)

Some pieces need holes for spouts, handles, or other features.

When the clay reaches just the right firmness, each hole is made by hand. The position and timing must be carefully judged to keep the edges clean and preserve the strength of the piece.

7. 削りかんな — kezuri kanna (Trimming Tool)

The kezuri kanna is the trimming tool you see in the artisan’s hand. It is a simple blade, carefully adjusted and controlled with the fingers.

Over generations, artisans have adapted their tools to suit their own hands. As a result, each tool has its own shape and feel.

8. 測る — hakaru (Measuring)

Pieces that need to fit together, such as a lid and its vessel, or items that must match as a set, are measured as they are finished.

Even the smallest difference matters. Because clay shrinks during firing, the final dimensions after firing must also be taken into account.

9. 水拭き — mizubuki (Wiping with Water)

Before painting and glazing, the surface is wiped with a damp sponge or cloth. This process is called mizubuki.

Removing the fine dust left behind by sanding helps ensure that the brushwork and glaze meet a clean, carefully prepared porcelain surface.

Discover These Words in a Finished Piece

Every vessel in our online shop passes through these kinds of processes before it is painted, glazed, and fired.

For example, the pieces in our Coffee Cup and Saucer Collection begin just like the ones featured in this episode, with the clay shaped into a vessel. Each piece is then painted by hand, so no two are exactly alike.

We offer international shipping.

Coffee Cup and Saucer Collection:
https://kinryukiln.theshop.jp/categories/6776458

New episodes are shared first on Instagram.

Follow @kinryugama and collect the word cards as they are released. 

One reel at a time, we are building a small dictionary of Japanese pottery terms.

— KINRYUGAMA, Arita, Japan