Tsukamoto Kaiji (1912–1990)
Ceramicist Tsukamoto Kaiji was designated a Living National Treasure in 1983 in recognition of his success in re-creating porcelain-making techniques from the Song dynasty (960–1279). Ceramics from that period are generally characterized by simple shapes and light-colored glazes with subtle hues. Tsukamoto was particularly interested in hakuji, white porcelain covered in a transparent wood-ash glaze mixed with feldspar, quicklime, or other fluxes. He also focused on seihakuji, a related style of pale-blue porcelain that is produced by adding a small amount of iron to the standard hakuji glaze and firing in a low-oxygen environment.
The platter on display shows Tsukamoto’s skill in achieving the milky-white color of fine hakuji. Note the engraved floral design around the rim. Tsukamoto accomplished this design using a carving technique called katagiri-bori. Carving in this style involves holding the chisel at an angle to create furrows that are deeper on one side. When the glaze pools in the furrows, the variation in depth creates a three-dimensional effect and gradations in the coloring.