Naoki Kojima, the owner of Sogengama, is a Karatsu ware artist who has been making pottery for over 40 years in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, a quiet village forest with a beautiful stream flowing through it. In the summer of 2023, a long-awaited new work fired with wood in a climbing kiln will be born. It has a rustic texture typical of Karatsu ware, and many of Kojima's powerful works.
At this kiln firing, a wide variety of sake vessels were produced using traditional Karatsu ware techniques. Enjoy the works of ``Karatsu ware'', such as ``Korean Karatsu'' with its beautiful contrast between black and white, ``Madakaratsu'' with mottled patterns on white skin, and ``Ekaratsu'' with simple and relaxed iron paintings that create a rustic atmosphere. I think you can get it.
Although the lingering heat is still severe, the mornings and evenings are much cooler, making it the season where you can feel the signs of autumn. Autumn harvest and autumn flavors are just around the corner. In fact, this is the season when the autumn Japanese sake ``Hiyaoroshi'' is delicious. ``Hiyaoroshi'' is a sake that is squeezed in the spring, pasteurized only once, and aged during the summer before being shipped. is born. ``Hiyaoroshi'' is also an alcoholic beverage whose flavor changes as autumn deepens. Why not enjoy a heart-pounding time this fall, admiring your favorite Guigo while enjoying some Hiyaoroshi?
We would like to introduce some of Mr. Kojima's new sake vessels.
Karatsu ware Naoki Kojima Korean Karatsu sake cup
Korean Karatsu is a technique used by potters who came to Karatsu from the Korean Peninsula, and it came to be known as ``Korean Karatsu.'' Its characteristic feature is that it is a combination of black candy glaze (ferrous black glaze) and straw ash glaze (white cloudy glaze), and the beautiful contrast between black and white is attractive, as well as the ``bleeding'' and boundaries where they blend together. The subtle scenery of blue and yellow that is created is also one of the highlights.
Karatsu ware Naoki Kojima Madara Karatsu sake cup
Madarakaratsu is called "madarakaratsu" because its surface is mottled. The product is coated with a cloudy straw ash glaze and fired with firewood, giving it an attractive white and soft appearance. Another highlight is the display of soil around the hill and the unique earthy taste of Karatsu ware. When you pour sake into it, the milky white color shines beautifully.
Karatsu ware Naoki Kojima E-Karatsu Kutsu sake cup
Karatsu ware is said to be the first to be painted in Japan. The technique is used on a variety of vessels, mainly depicting plants, flowers, and birds. This work features a simple and relaxed depiction of grass. In addition, the word ``kutsu'' comes from the shape of the wooden shoes worn by aristocrats and court nobles when playing kemari, and is similar in shape to the wooden shoes with a greatly distorted mouth rim. .
Karatsu ware Naoki Kojima Karatsu Yamase Ido sake cup
The clay used is from Yamase, Karatsu, which is known as old Karatsu pottery clay. The bright loquat color is beautiful, and the “Kairagi” on the foot ring and the potter's wheel pattern, which is unique to handicrafts, are other highlights.
Karatsu ware Naoki Kojima Madara Karatsu Yama sake cup
Madarakaratsu is called "madarakaratsu" because its surface is mottled. The product is coated with a cloudy straw ash glaze and fired with firewood, giving it an attractive white and soft skin. Another highlight is the display of soil around the hill and the unique earthy taste of Karatsu ware. When you pour sake into it, the milky white color shines beautifully.
Karatsu ware Naoki Kojima Karatsu Yama Sake
A sake cup made from rare clay from the Kitahata district of Karatsu City, the birthplace of Karatsu ware. It is baked to a reddish color, and one of the highlights is the clay around the hill and the unique clay taste of Karatsu ware.
Stemmed cup
From left: ・Illustrated Karatsu stemmed cup ・Mottled Karatsu leather stemmed cup ・Korean Karatsu stemmed cup ・Karatsu stemmed cup
sake bottle
From left - Madara Karatsu sake bottle ・Korean Karatsu sake bottle ・Karatsu Yamase sake bottle ・Madakaratsu skin whale sake bottle ・Karatsu Black Kairagi sake bottle
Click here for Kojima's profile and new works.