Mentori (Pottery Faceting Techniques)
Men-tori (faceting) is a technique where the surface of a formed vessel is shaved to create flat surfaces (facets). While a vessel thrown on a potter's wheel has a circular cross-section, by using a blade to shave it, the cross-section is transformed into a polygon.
The shaving is done when the vessel is in a leather-hard state. If the clay is too soft, the blade will sink; if it's too dry, it will chip. During this brief window, a kanna (spoke shave), bow, or sometimes even a knife is used to shave off material in one swift motion from top to bottom.
The essence of men-tori is that it is a decorative technique of subtraction, not addition. Rather than adding something like painting, it's about revealing something new by shaving. That's why a shaved surface cannot be restored. A single, irreversible decision directly shapes the character of the vessel.
The Difference Between Men-tori and Shinogi
Both are "carving decorations," but they result in different forms.
In pottery, "shinogi" is a decorative technique where the surface of a vessel is carved with a spoke shave or spatula to create continuous carved lines (grooves). It gets its name from the way the ridges (corners) stand out, much like the shinogi (ridge line) on the back of a sword. (Shinogi is shown in the picture below)
| Men-tori | Shinogi | |
|---|---|---|
| Carving Method | Shaves off wide, flat surfaces | Carves continuous narrow grooves |
| Resulting Shape | Polygonal. Ridges between surfaces | Radial/vertical ridges and grooves |
| Tactile Feel | Flat surfaces and distinct edges | Rhythm of continuous undulations |
| Appearance of Light | Light shifts from one facet to another | Shadows fall in lines along the grooves |
| Glaze Accumulation | Thin at ridges, uniform in the center of facets | Accumulates thickly at the bottom of grooves |
In short, men-tori creates "surfaces," while shinogi creates "lines." If you look at a vessel from the side and see flat surfaces arranged next to each other, it's men-tori. If there are fine lines running across it, it's shinogi. The difference becomes even clearer when you hold it: with men-tori, your fingers catch on the edges between the surfaces, while with shinogi, your fingers slide along the grooves as if counting them.
What Men-tori Brings to a Vessel
Light in Motion
Round vessels reflect light smoothly. Men-tori vessels are different. Because the way light hits each surface varies, simply rotating the vessel slightly will cause bright and dark surfaces to alternate. This alternation works like a gemstone's cut, especially with glossy glazes like celadon or lapis lazuli glaze.
Creation of Glaze Shades
Where material is carved away and edges are created, the glaze becomes thinner. After firing, only the ridges appear white (or the color of the clay body). This effect is particularly pronounced with flowing glazes like kohiki (slipware) or amber glaze. Men-tori is a technique of form, but also a technique for designing the expression of glazes.
Improved Grip
This is a practical aspect that is often overlooked. Flat surfaces provide a place for fingers to rest. A faceted Yunomi (teacup) is more secure to hold than a smooth, cylindrical one. For those with small hands or less strength, men-tori is a function, not just decoration.
Elevates Food Presentation
Round vessels make food appear softer, while angular vessels define its outline. Men-tori vessels lie in between, maintaining a roundedness while adding structure to the composition. This is why they are easy to pair with both Japanese and Western cuisine.
Choosing Men-tori Vessels
For daily Yunomi/mugs — Men-tori directly improves grip. It's worth choosing faceted items for everyday use. Cups with about 6 to 10 facets are easy to hold; the more facets there are, the closer it approaches a circle, and the less pronounced the effect becomes.
For serving dishes — Faceted bowls and small plates give a natural outline to the food served. They particularly help to neatly present dishes with undefined shapes, such as aemono (dressed salads) or nimono (simmered dishes), preventing them from looking messy.
Choosing by glaze combination — If you want to enjoy the effect of the ridges, opt for glazes like kohiki, amber glaze, or celadon that flow and create variations in shade. If you want to highlight the form itself, choose a matte glaze or yakishime to make the facet composition stand out clearly.
Examine it by hand — The sharpness of the edges of a men-tori vessel cannot be fully appreciated from a photograph. If the edges are too sharp, it can feel hard on the mouth and chip easily when washed. Vessels with slightly rounded edges will last longer.
The ridges and corners of men-tori vessels are the most prone to chipping. When stacking them, placing cloth or paper between the vessels provides protection. When washing, avoid metal scrubbers and use a soft sponge. Dirt tends to accumulate in the corners, so pay attention to cleaning between the facets.