This craft was the first to use the technique of glaze enamel application, even among Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns. This started from ash glaze in the Heian period (794-1185), after which iron glaze and koseto glaze appeared in the Kamakura period (1185–1333), and by the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1868) there were seven types of established glazing techniques. Also, twelve types of decorating techniques were developed, including flower printing, where patterns are embossed and comb marks, where wavy forms, dotted lines, and swirl patterns are drawn.
Ash glaze, which was used for tableware of the nobility during the Heian period, is when ash from the kiln has dissolved on the surface. Iron glaze is fired using different types of clay from the Kamakura period onward, which is also when various decoration techniques were developed, like flower printing and decorating with the same type of clay of the piece. Oribe glaze generally refers to blue oribe glaze specifically while kuro-oribe glaze is classified as an iron glaze, and e-oribe glaze is classified as an ash glaze. Kiseto glaze is a type of yellow colored iron glaze, with an iron content percentage of around ten percent, and is used for tea utensils, plates, and bowls. Shino glaze uses akazu feldspar, which has low iron content and is white colored, hence the general name white shino.
Ofuke glaze items are decorated with zaffer imported from China, have been fired by reduction, and is a type of ash glaze. Kozeto glaze has mainly been used for tea utensils like tea containers, is a type of iron glaze and has parts where black and dark reddish-brown colors are mixed together.
In order to keep the tradition of Akazu ware alive, traditional techniques have been inherited and the next generation diligently works to produce new pieces. This craft can be found in a variety of forms, ranging from art pieces and flower vases, to tea utensils and general dining goods.
