Yakishime, firing unglazed wares at high temperatures, is said to be one of the most basic means to produce ceramics. Photo: Hanh Tran

'YAKISHIME - Earth Metamorphosis' focuses on the yakishime ceramic technique in which unglazed wares are fired at extremely high temperatures of 1,200-1,300˚C.

While one of the most basic or primitive means of producing ceramics, yakishime has developed in distinctive directions in Japan, and production has continued unbroken from Japan’s middle ages through the present.

The process, which dates back as far as the 4th or 5th century, became a mainstay of the Japanese ceramic repertoire in the 17th century, and remains a substantial component of the output for major ceramic centres such as Bizen, Shigaraki and Tokoname.

The high-firing produces vitrification, or glassiness, and a rough, earthy surface punctuated with patches of brilliant sheen and colour. In addition, it makes the results unpredictable, and the challenge facing the ceramist is to retain control over the delicate transformations in the clay.

Delegates visit the exhibition. Photo: Hanh Tran

The ongoing exhibition in Hanoi is organized by the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam in collaboration with the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

This exhibition examines yakishime as an element of traditional Japanese culture from its earliest origins to contemporary works. It includes 80 pieces made for the tea ceremony, tableware, essential items for serving Japanese food as well as a wide range of non-utilitarian objects created by contemporary ceramics artists who work with yakishime.

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Kamitani Naoko, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, says that the exhibition aims to introduce the method of pottery making with a long and unique development history in Japan to this day, not to mention pottery is also a common culture of Vietnam and Japan.

Kamitani hopes this will be an opportunity for Vietnamese people to have closer contact with Japanese culture, and through the exhibition, visitors can feel sympathy and resonance in Japanese culture.

The event aims to provide an excellent opportunity to communicate this distinctively Japanese sensibility and aesthetic to the people. Photo: Hanh Tran

Doi Katsuma, director of the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam said that the exhibition 'YAKISHIME - Earth Metamorphosis' is the center's first large-scale event in 2023, marking the anniversary of the 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam.

This exhibition is part of the Japan Foundation’s 'Travelling Exhibition Program' that introduces Japanese arts and culture to audiences overseas.

The exhibition will be held in Hanoi and Hue city. He hopes that visitors will, through experiencing this generous array of yakishime ware, both become aware of the depth and diversity of Japanese culture and gain insight into its creativity.

Visiting the exhibition, painter Le Ngoc Han, a lecturer at the University of Industrial Fine Arts shared, Japanese pottery is simple but contains great cultural inspiration. The works at this exhibition are attractive and he feels somewhat about the creativity in Japanese ceramic art.

The exhibition will run until April 20 at Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi.

Painter Le Ngoc Han examines the works at the exhibition. Photo: Hanh Tran

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