Japanese pottery exhibition kicks off in Thua Thien – Hue

The event is jointly organised by the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, the Hue Fine Arts Museum, and the Thua Thien-Hue province's Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association.

Doi Katsuma, director of the centre, said that it is hoped that through experiencing Yakishime ceramic products, the Vietnamese public will know more about the diversity and creativity of the Japanese culture.

The exhibition, which runs until May 14, introduces the ceramics technique yakishime which fires unglazed wares at high temperatures. One of the most basic means of producing ceramics, Yakishime has been developed in numerous distinctive directions in Japan.

The display aims to introduce local people to the Japanese culture by examining Yakishime from the earliest examples to contemporary works.

Phan Thanh Hai, Director of Thua Thien- Hue Department of Culture and Sports, said that the exhibition takes place under the umbrella of the Thue Thien- Hue’s 9th traditional craft festival towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic establishment relations between Vietnam and Japan.

Yakishime dates back to the fourth or fifth century. However, it was not until the 12th century through to the 17th century that the technique became firmly established and was used in a significant portion of the production of major ceramic centres in Japan, including Bizen, Shigaraki, and Tokoname.