Iga bowls are fired in Iga, Mie Prefecture, and with Shigaraki form the two representative unglazed kilns. Their appeal lies in dramatic kiln effects — scorching, running bidoro glaze, and distortion.
History
Iga ware developed rapidly in the Momoyama period, held to be under Furuta Oribe's direction, and was prized as suiting the forceful arrangements of warrior-class tea. Its scorching is blacker than Shigaraki's and its kiln effects more violent.
Types
The blackness of the scorching, the flow of the bidoro glaze, the boldness of the distortion, and the appearance of cracks are the points of interest. The saying "Iga has ears, Shigaraki has none" refers to the lug handles common on Iga vessels.
In practice
Iga suits arrangements in Oribe's taste and gatherings taking Momoyama design as their theme. It reads one degree stronger than Shigaraki, which is the usual reason for choosing it.
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
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Related terms
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