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Ukiyo-e woodblock prints of samurai (musha-e)
The heros for the people of Edo with ukiyo-e woodblock prints Kabuki and ukiyo-e are the amenities for the townspeople in Edo period (1603-1683). Samurai and ancient battle were one of the popular themes of the theatrical performance and woodblock printing. The stories of samurai made them excited and grieved same as today. Though there were countless ukiyo-e artists in Edo period, not all of them drew the pictures of samurai, musha-e (武者絵). The only artists who were good at expressing their bravery and painfulness with impressive pictures. Especially Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) and his disciple Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). The ukiyo-e woodblock prints of samurai (musha-e) Okumura Masanobu Read more about Ukiyo-e woodblock prints of samurai (musha-e)[…]
Katsushika Hokusai’s Dragon on the ceiling of a festival float
Hokusai’s outstanding Dragon painting in Obuse, Nagano Prefecture The painting of “Dragon” on the ceiling of the festival float of Higashimachi is owned by Hokusai Museum in Obuse City. Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) visited the small city four times. Even at the first visit, he was over eighty (the average life span of Japanese people at that time was about thirty-four!). “Dragon” and “Phoenix” was the artworks which he painted at his second visit. The “Phoenix” painting on the Higashimachi festival float led to “Phoenix that glares in all directions” on the ceiling of Gansho-in Temple in the city. Though he was already a famous ukiyo-e artist Read more about Katsushika Hokusai’s Dragon on the ceiling of a festival float[…]
Tokoname Bonsai pots from Japan
Traditional Japanese stoneware Bonsai pots you can buy on Amazon Zenigou, Oval Bonsai pot (used) Size:18 1/8″ x 13 3/4″ x 4 1/8″ It is said the introduction of the culture to planting a tree in a pot from China in Heian Period (794-1185). Firstly, the aristocratic people enjoyed the new art, and then the monks and samurais too. The samurai warriors especially love Bonsai as their hobby and it spread throughout the town people in Edo Period (1603-1868). The techniques for Bonsai greatly grew during the period. And various pods were also used for them. Today, there are many kinds of Bonsai pods which are Read more about Tokoname Bonsai pots from Japan[…]
Ceramic sake cup sets from 4 Japanese traditional crafts
Arita, Kiyomizu, Kutani, and Hagi pottery and porcelain sake cup sets from Amazon.com A ceramic is a most popular drinking ware when the people drink sake in Japan. Though there are choko or guinomi cups of tin or glass, they are just for the cold sake and not for hot. On that point, we can enjoy both cold and hot the Japanese rice wine with the pottery or porcelain sake cups. Furthermore, there are all sorts of ceramic sake cups, it is fun to choose. When you have sets of the cups, the drinking with the family or friends would be more enjoyable! I would like to show Read more about Ceramic sake cup sets from 4 Japanese traditional crafts[…]
Buying Edo-kiriko cut glass sake sets made in Japan
Beautiful sake cups and bottles of Edo-kiriko cut glass from Amazon Yarai Pattern (blue) There are many traditional crafts including pottery, porcelain, and metal products in Japan but the glassware which has a long history isn’t so many. Edo-kiriko is the most popular Japanese glassware. Edo is the ancient name of Tokyo and more than a million people lived in the city (the largest population in the middle 18the century around the world!). Until the Edo Period (1603-1868), the culture of Japan was mostly developed the ruling class such as aristocracy and samurai. However, the culture of the Edo Period was the culture of townspeople. They Read more about Buying Edo-kiriko cut glass sake sets made in Japan[…]
Black and red Tokoname pottery kyusu (Japanese teapot)
Beautiful bicolor Japanese ceramic teapots of Tokoname ware 320cc kyusu teapot Tokoname ware which has nearly 900 years of history is the most used Japanese teapot (kyusu) in the country. The vermillion teapot is pristine but simply beautiful. Though there are many kinds of teapots including, pottery, porcelain, stoneware, and cast iron in Japan, we couldn’t find the warmful color among them. Tokoname pottery red kyusu teapots with patterns The cray of Tokoname ware contains much iron oxide and that make teapots austerely elegant vermillion after baked in a kiln. 170cc kyusu teapot 230cc kyusu teapot 240cc kyusu teapot Read more about Black and red Tokoname pottery kyusu (Japanese teapot)[…]
Large Japanese cast iron tetsubin teapots from Amazon.com
Large size Nambu Tekki kyusu teapots made in Japan 41 ounce tetsubin kyusu The traditional Japanese cast iron Nambu Tekki teapot is high-quality and has some good things to use. Enjoy Nambu Tekki Japanese cast iron teapot (kyusu) That is why the Japanese people change their opinion of Nambu Tekki which they regarded as old-fashioned. More and more seek a good product than mass-produced goods in these days. Therefore, the various kinds of colors, shapes, and sizes of Nambu Tekki teapot have become to be on the market. Various colors, shapes, and patterns! Nambu Tekki kyusu teapot from the long-standing manufacturer Iwachu 60 ounce tetsubin Read more about Large Japanese cast iron tetsubin teapots from Amazon.com[…]
Tokoname pottery red kyusu teapots with patterns
Traditional vermilion Japanese teapot of Tokoname-yaki with beautiiful patterns 220cc kyusu teapot with cherry blossoms There are six oldest kilns in Japan. Seto, Echizen, Shigaraki, Tamba, Bizen, and Tokoname. Each kiln began in the Middle Ages and their potteries are still a part of the people’s life. Though various kinds of tableware are on display in a shop today, a product of Tokoname ware has the largest market share in the industry. That is Japanese teapot kyusu. The Tokoname red kyusu is just an old and typical teapot of the Japanese people. Standard plain kyusu teapot Iron oxide of the pottery’s cray Read more about Tokoname pottery red kyusu teapots with patterns[…]
Dot pattern (Arare) black cast iron tetsubin teapots by Iwachu
Traditional color and pattern kyusu teapots of Nambu Tekki from Iwate Prefecture 29 ounce teapot with infuser Orderly lined up small dots. The traditional pattern is so simple but it makes us feel peaceful. It’s probably because Nambu Tekki was invented as a kettle for the tea -ceremony. Before the appearance of Sen-no Riyu (1522-1591), the people used colorful bowls at the ceremony. But he valued the spirit of “Wabi” and “Sabi”. Wabi is the attitude of seeking beauty and inner contentment in simplicity and imperfection. And The spirit of Sabi is seeking beauty in withered things where their internal essence is oozing out to the surface. If Read more about Dot pattern (Arare) black cast iron tetsubin teapots by Iwachu[…]
Dot and flower pattern Kutani ware Japanese teapots kyusu
Kutani ceramic kyusu with Cihbu (dot) pattern Blue dots and flowers (350ml) When you look for a flowery and colorful Japanese traditional pottery, I recommend three kilns, Arita (Imari) ware, Kiyomizu (Kyoto) ware, and Kutani ware. There are some styles of the old kiln, and they have each brightness. The blue, white or pink dot patterns really go well with gold as well as flowers. All of dot and pattern are drawn by the craftsmen. You would feel admiration for the fine work. Arita ware tea sets Kiyomizu ware tea sets Blue dots (300ml) Pink dots (300ml) Read more about Dot and flower pattern Kutani ware Japanese teapots kyusu[…]