Making Ceramics
Hozen, the eleventh-generation master of the Nishimura family, learned pottery techniques in Kyoto and produced tea utensils prized by the Sen family of tea masters. After 1827, he sealed his works as “Eiraku.” He produced a variety of fine-quality wares, most of them special orders, including blue-and-white porcelain, copies of Chinese porcelain, and Cochin-style (Kōchi ware) works with polychrome glazes. One of his signature techniques was the delicate application of overglaze gold patterns (kinrande) on red ground. Furthermore, Hozen made numerous copies of Ninsei ware. He was one of the most influential ceramists in Kyoto in the nineteenth century. An amateur painter, he created this series of six hanging scrolls (18.77.2–.7) depicting the process of ceramic production.
In this scene, clay is being prepared for use. First it is crushed with a wooden mallet to produce a uniform texture, ground, cleaned and mixed with water, and then kneaded before the wet clay is shaped into slabs. The thatched-roof building bears the name of the master ceramist and head of the workshop, Eiraku
In this scene, clay is being prepared for use. First it is crushed with a wooden mallet to produce a uniform texture, ground, cleaned and mixed with water, and then kneaded before the wet clay is shaped into slabs. The thatched-roof building bears the name of the master ceramist and head of the workshop, Eiraku
Artwork Details
- 永樂保全筆 「陶造」
- Title: Making Ceramics
- Artist: Eiraku Hozen (Japanese, 1795–1854)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: first half of the19th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: Overall: 47 1/2 x 16 7/8 in. (120.7 x 42.9 cm)
Overall with mounting: 67 1/4 x 21 7/8 in. (170.8 x 55.6 cm)
Overall with knobs: 67 1/4 x 23 3/4 in. (170.8 x 60.3 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1918
- Object Number: 18.77.5
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Eiraku Hozen
first half of the19th century
Eiraku Hozen
19th century
Eiraku Hozen
1820
Eiraku Hozen
1800
Eiraku Hozen
1800
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