Akazu Porcelain（赤津焼）

Akazu in the city of Seto, Aichi prefecture, is the home of the first porcelain works known to Japanese history. What distinguishes porcelain from other types of pottery is the temperature at which it is fired, and Akazu-ware is fired at a temperature hot enough to burn ash. The history of this pottery style dates back more than 1200 years, and it is known for its warmth and charm, as well as the more than 30 different kinds of glazes that are utilized in its production. This style is common in many items used in the tea ceremony, and has become a form of art in and of itself. It has the honor of being commonly requested by the famous Tokugawa family during the Edo Period.

The process of making an Akazu piece begins with the clay, which is notably low in iron and found in the surrounding Seto area. A potter may use a wheel, or simply his hands to form the basic shape for a piece, after which point it is set out to dry for a few days. Multiple layers of glaze may be used, and the clay may also be carved as well. The piece is then fired in the kiln at approximately 1200°C, although this temperature may be adjusted in order to achieve varied effects in the final piece. The absence of a "pre-firing" phase is a distinctive characteristic of the process of making Akazu-ware.

Also distinctive is the sense of capriciousness associated with this style. It is said that no potter is capable of making two identical Akazu pieces. This is partly due to the intricacy of the glazing patterns as well as the various ways of shaping the clay, from smooth pieces formed on a wheel to more rough looking ones that are entirely shaped by hand. However, it is more specifically a result of the unpredictable nature of the firing process. Variations in the state of the clay as well as the humidity and temperature involved can produce wildly different products, and craftsmen have spent every one of its 1200 year history in a process of trial and error in order to attain predictable results. The pottery nevertheless tends to defy these attempts, and each piece is said to have an individuality that cannot be reproduced. The lack of a pre-firing phase in the process of producing these ceramics allows the glaze to move in various ways, and is a deliberate way to allow the spontaneous nature of these pieces to shine through.