The end of the12th century also marked the end of the Heian period, and of its court aristocracy, and the beginning of the Kamakura period (1185-1338) with its feudal system of government. The Kamakura society required more utilitarian ceramics for everyday living rather than of artistic value. At this time six large pottery production centers came into prominence in Japan evolving to produce rougher, heavier, higher fired, more durable pottery and Bizen (Eastern Okayama Pre.,) was one of those centers. From the Kamakura period the pottery made in Bizen began to have unique qualities such as reddish or brownish colour surface and melted ash resembling sesame seeds and so is called Bizen ware.
With the Meiji restoration (1868) Japan opened its doors to the west and the public lost interest in Japanese traditional arts. This was disastrous for Bizen but even so small individual kilns began to be fired, though drain pipes and refractory brick production was the main industry.
The distinctive and easily recognizable Bizen pottery produced in Okayama (western Japan), has a long history. It is well known as one of the 6 ancient Japanese kilns (Seto, Tokoname, Tamba, Echizen, Shigaraki and Bizen), established over a thousand years ago and rising to prominence with the popularity of the tea-ceremony in the 13th century. Bizen's trademark non-glazed ware has been produced since its very beginnings. It is truly unique and cannot be found in any other pottery-producing areas in Japan. The natural ash glaze is achieved by a traditional firing process. Red pine wood is burned at extremely high temperatures (1300c°) in kilns made of clay, brick or stone, with firing times ranging from 2 to 12 days. Constant attention is needed to keep the fires going, with workers standing by around the clock. The effect on each piece differs depending on its position in the kiln and its proximity to the flame path. Predicting the finished effect is a tricky task and can only be achieved by the most expert and experienced craftsman. It can be said that each piece is a complete one-off, crafted with much care and attention to detail and the product of a process which involves a great deal of time, expense and manpower to complete.
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