Ko-kutani (old Kutani)
The first phase of Kutani ware (Kutani-yaki) from Ishikawa Prefecture, produced around 1655. Ko-Kutani is characterised by bold, large-scale compositions in the five-colour (gosai) overglaze enamel palette — among the most powerful decorative styles in all of japanese ceramics.
FAQ regarding Ko-Kutani Ware
Q1. What is Ko-Kutani, and how does it differ from other Kutani ware or Japanese porcelain?
Ko-Kutani (Old Kutani) refers to the early porcelain produced for just a few decades in the mid-17th century (early Edo period) under the patronage of the Kaga Domain (modern-day Ishikawa Prefecture).
Its defining characteristic is its bold, vibrant overglaze enameling, categorized into "Aode" (green-dominant) and "Gosai" (five-color) styles. Using rich shades of green, yellow, purple, dark blue, and red, the painters covered the porcelain surfaces with dramatic, painting-like compositions, radiating a powerful and dynamic beauty that contrasts with rustic tea ceramics.
Q2. Why is there a mystery surrounding the closure of the Ko-Kutani kilns and its place of origin?
The mystery stems from the fact that production abruptly ceased after only about 50 years, leaving behind many historical unanswered questions.
Theories for its sudden end range from financial difficulties to political pressures from the Tokugawa Shogunate. Furthermore, recent excavations suggest that some pieces in the "Ko-Kutani style" may actually have been fired in Arita (Saga Prefecture), sparking the famous "Imari vs. Kutani" debate that makes Ko-Kutani one of the most enigmatic chapters in ceramic history.