Antique Lamps - Japanese Kutani

by Maurice Robertson⁽²¹⁾
Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co

Early examples of fired earthenware or pots such as vases from classical Greece, ceramics from China and fired clay pots from Africa can be found in museums in every corner of the world. None, however, are as early as those produced by mankind's first potters from Northern Japan.

Archeologists now know that a group of mans' earliest ancestors, now designated as the Jomon people, were the first to fire clay pots, 16,500 years ago.

It was formerly believed that, at this time, mankind had not developed to the stage of producing pottery. Now with the benefit of carbon dating technology, this surprisingly, early date can be confirmed. These early wares, of course, fall into the period of the Stone Age, or prehistory, with very little known, other than rare examples, now held as national treasures by the Japanese state.

Here, we look at one of Japan's famous and well known ceramics, "Kutani" porcelain.

Today we tend to think of Japanese Kutani porcelain as the often, lavishly gilded, iron red, enamelled porcelain, frequently with small details in black, or grey. This "Red Kutani" is often seen as vases, bowls and dishes, but we need to turn the picture around and look at Kutani anew.

Within the realm of recorded history we first hear of Kutani porcelain in 1655. Kutani is actually the name of a village, the name meaning, "Nine Valleys". The Kutani village was situated in the province of Kaga, found in the centre of Hondo, the south island of Japan.

Throughout the Edo period, 1603-1868, Japan was a feudal society, ruled by wealthy, influential and powerful families. Japan was isolated with doors firmly locked to Western influence. It was Japan for the Japanese and here, specifically, Japanese art for the Japanese. During the Edo period, art and culture flourished and Japanese porcelain and pottery certainly fell into the realm of art, with a piece being judged on its artistic and esthetic merits alone.

The feudal ruling Maeda family was a wealthy one with a portfolio including the ownership of a local gold mine. It is to this family that we must look for the beginning of Kutani porcelain.

Japanese ceramic history records that a bed of fine white clay was discovered in the process of mining excavation. This was high quality potting clay, suitable for the production of porcelain.

Kilns were constructed under the management of Goto Saijiro, a member of the ruling family and in 1655 the production of pottery tea wares began. By 1657 with the quality of the fine white clay being realized, Lord Maeda Toshiharu, the ruling lord, sent Goto Saijiro south to the then centre of early Japanese porcelain at Arita.

At this time, Arita was already famous with a reputation for its beautiful ceramics and Goto became a serious student, studying the famous Arita porcelain techniques. Goto returned to Kutani, bringing with him experienced potters and craftsmen who established porcelain production in Kutani village. These events, now 350 years old and like most history, full of twists and turns, none of which can be verified.

At this date, it seems that a multi coloured, enamel decorated porcelain was produced. Examples of this early porcelain are extremely rare and designated as, Ko Kutani, meaning, old Kutani. It is now believed, however, that some porcelain was brought in from other kilns to be decorated, some blanks were sent away to be decorated and just to totally confuse the story, it is thought that porcelain clay, glaze and even potters were imported from China and Korea.

This early or first period of Ko Kutani seems to have lasted to an unknown date in the first half of the 18th century. It wasn't until 1807 that a porcelain kiln was opened again in Kutani, stimulating other potters and in a relatively short time, eight other porcelain producing kilns were established at Kutani village. The most influential of these was Kutani Shoza and it was his rather loud decorative style that developed into the standard image of Kutani porcelain. (It is to be noted that in Japan, Kutani is known as Shoza style).

Finally, in about 1830, new kilns were established at Kutani to concentrate on the commercial production of porcelain. Japan's 19th century direction was altered by the Meiji restoration of 1868 which saw the closure of Japan's feudal past. The Meiji era denotes the period in Japanese history during the 45-year reign of the Meiji Emperor from 23 October 1868 to 30 July 1912. During this time, Japan began its modernization and rose to world power status. The word "Meiji" interpreting as "Enlightened Rule".

Throughout the Meiji period, (1868-1912), nearly all Kutani porcelain was exported to the West. Most of the Kutani porcelain we see today is Shoza style export wares, dating from the early 19th century up until today. Throughout the 19th century Kutani export reached its peak, with exports rising every year. When Kutani Shoza died in 1883, his company employed more than 300 apprentices.

A well designed and carefully assembled Kutani antique lamp will be at home in any décor, contemporary, eclectic or classic. Antique lamps have an inbuilt adaptability to share space with a wide range of interior designs. Interestingly, it's the modern styles lamps which need a modern interior to look comfortable and appropriate. Taken out of their contemporary surroundings, they start to look like the proverbial "fish out of water". The same goes with lamp shades for antique lamps, a modern, rather than a classic shade will compliment an antique lamp, but not usually in the reverse.

The successful outcome of interior design is based entirely upon the eye of the designer and "the best eye will produce the best result". As stated, an antique lamp will compliment a wide range of interiors. To see this statement justified, simply look through a range of quality interior design magazines and pay attention to the lamps!

The red Kutani lamp illustrated is-: A 19th century Japanese red Kutani table lamp, the lamp decorated in the traditional palette of burnt orange and black enamels. The decorative subject, a long tailed exotic bird perched on a flowering branch. The lamp seated on a solid bronze, gold plated stand. Early Meiji - Circa 1870 Overall height (including shade) 22"/56cm

The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique lamps .Lamps are shipped ready wired for the US, the UK and Australia.

A Kutani lamp can be seen by going to -: http://www.antiquelampshop.com/lamp-chat.php?id=44

For further information you are invited to visit their web site at -: http://www.antiquelampshop.com

Article submitted Tuesday, January 31, 2012 & read 19 times.

Maurice Robertson, principal of The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co, has had a lifetime’s association with antique porcelain and pottery. He has extended his ceramics expertise into the quality table lamps seen on the company’s site. Well known to local and international interior designers, who have included many of his table lamps in their projects, he has also supplied items of national interest to the official Sydney residence of the Australian Prime Minister.

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