Crafting Technique [Oribe]
Deep captivating green
When held up to the light, Oribe shines with an emerald green hue.
Up close, its vivid, beautiful, and deep green color is mesmerizing.
This non-uniform color changes expression depending on the viewing angle, possessing a beauty that you can gaze at endlessly.
Oribe pairs exceptionally well with flower arrangements, completing the piece and evoking the image of a single flower blooming in a meadow or forest.
Son's Oribe pieces are blended with the rare Mogusa (百草) clay.
Oribe pieces with the texture of Mogusa clay visible within their vibrant colors.
It is said that Oribe ware was created by the warrior tea master Furuta Oribe, a disciple of Sen no Rikyū.
Oribe ware is known for its deep dark green color, which captivated people of the time with its rich hue.
The beauty of the glaze and the texture of the clay underneath can both be appreciated, offering a tactile and visual experience that is the charm of Oribe.
Son’s works capture and express the beautiful nature of Japan as an inner landscape.
These pieces are crafted to enrich the heart even amidst a busy life.
They can be enjoyed just as much as a standalone display without flowers.
100 days of pottery making process
The approximately 100-day pottery process until the completion of the vessel results in a unique creation born from various encounters and experiences.
Mogusa clay is highly rare, and even within the Mino region, the mountains where it can be found are limited. It is said that only about 50 cubic centimeters can be extracted from a single location. The reality is that high-quality Mogusa clay is now scarcely available.
By perceiving the beautiful four seasons of Japan and the changes in nature, I internalize them and translate them into shapes through sketching. The act of drawing is akin to the process of expressing the heart. I spend about seven days carefully contemplating the forms and colors
Impurities and small stones are removed using a sieve, and the process of removing iron from the clay is carried out. After that, the clay's stickiness is adjusted for the next process, and it is left to rest for 2 to 3 months. How carefully this process is performed greatly affects the final product.
In the kneading process, there are two steps: rough kneading to make the soil hardness uniform, and fine kneading to remove air. Skilled work is required to prevent drying during the kneading process. By adjusting the hardness according to the pottery process (hand-building, wheel throwing, molding), it is possible to express various beauties.
At Son, we don't just "turn" the pottery wheel; we "hew" it, which implies cutting or carving with tools. Additionally, we imbue it with the meaning of "pulling." Experience the beauty of subtraction, where only the essentials remain. Except for a few pieces, Son uses a hand-turned pottery wheel that replicates the one used 500 years ago.
Without using any dryers, we utilize natural wind for drying. The process of slowly waiting for the moisture to evaporate is part of Son's dedication to the same methods used 500 years ago. At the workshop located on a high plateau, the sound of the wind can be heard year-round. We have learned that the voice of the wind blowing across the land is also part of the creation process.
In a small kiln, the moisture remaining in the clay is evaporated. Unlike other clays, Mogusa clay is particularly prone to cooling cracks, so the kiln temperature is set lower to minimize cracking. If the bisque firing temperature is too high, the clay becomes too dense and does not absorb the glaze well. Conversely, if the temperature is too low, the clay will dissolve when the glaze is applied, causing the shape to collapse.
[Shino] Using a glaze blended from several types of feldspar, Shino expresses a snow-white color. This white color changes slightly depending on the feldspar blend, so repeated trial and error is necessary to create the finest Shino.
[Setoguro] The black color subtly changes depending on the type of wood ash used, so various blends are tried to achieve the ideal black.
Listen to the sound of the kiln while sharpening your five senses. Due to the delicacy that greatly changes depending on the season and climate, we adjust the temperature for more than 5 days while facing the fire during the kiln firing. During the kiln firing, it is the only time when we cannot have a conversation with the clay, but it is also a fun time to have a conversation with the fire. Until the kiln door is opened, the color and finish cannot be confirmed, and only about 10% of the ideal products can be achieved.
Oribe flower vase
Oribe flower vase
When held up to the light, Oribe shines with an emerald green hue.
Up close, its vivid, beautiful, and deep green color is mesmerizing.
This non-uniform color changes expression depending on the viewing angle,
possessing a beauty that you can gaze at endlessly.
Oribe pairs exceptionally well with flower arrangements, completing the piece and
evoking the image of a single flower blooming in a meadow or forest.
Son’s works capture and express the beautiful nature of Japan as an inner landscape.
Even amidst a busy life, these pieces are crafted to enrich the heart.
They can be enjoyed just as much as a standalone display without flowers.
Oribe Tsubo
Oribe Tsubo
Oribe Tsubo are characterized by their beautifully shining emerald green glaze, with a luster and depth that change expression depending on the viewing angle.
This characteristic breathes new life into the Tsubo and imparts a quiet charm to the entire space.
The natural flow of wind and rain from the mountains, forming rivers that eventually reach the sea.
Son captures and expresses such transitions in Japan’s nature as an inner landscape.
Oribe Tsubo are masterpieces that symbolize Japanese aesthetics and tradition, possessing the power to transform the atmosphere of a room.
Oribe plate
Oribe plate
When held up to the light, Oribe shines with an emerald green hue.
Up close, its vivid, beautiful, and deep green color is mesmerizing.
This non-uniform color changes expression depending on the viewing angle, possessing a beauty that you can gaze at endlessly.
When dishes are plated, this deep green enhances the presentation, highlighting the presence of the food.
The Oribe plate not only accentuates the food but also evokes the lush green nature of Japan's beautiful original landscapes after the meal.
Oribe sake vessel
Oribe sake vessel
Up close, its vivid, beautiful, and deep green color is mesmerizing.
The non-uniform color visible after pouring sake changes expression depending on the viewing angle, possessing a beauty that you can gaze at endlessly.
Son’s works capture and express Japan's four seasons and natural beauty.
The Oribe Shunomi evokes a profound sense of drinking surrounded by Japan's beautiful nature.
How to use and care for your utensils
Wipe off the water with a soft cloth or kitchen paper.
Sun-dry for 2 hours, or if the weather is bad or drying indoors, dry for 12 hours.
The bottom (foot) of the matcha bowl is where you can directly feel the rare clay, but it can absorb water.
To prevent mold, please complete the drying process as outlined in STEP 3.
