Calligraphy on pottery
It’s been one year since I started to learn how to wheel. It took me more than two months to be able to centre the clay alone and after about six months, I had to ask the teacher to check if the clay was actually centred. Many times she looked at it and said, “Sorry, almost”. My teacher was very patient and always told me that it was normal to take time. Actually, I wasn’t stressed or disappointed. I’ve been practicing calligraphy more than 25 years and still think there is still a lot to learn. So I’m OK with it.
These are my latest works. In the last several weeks, I started to understand the consistency of the ink (well, not really the ink) and now I don’t get a blot instead of a letter or a phrase. The teacher was very happy with the result. As soon as I entered the class today and put an apron, she called me to show me how the calligraphy came out from my last works.
On the left is a part of the book, “The Pillow Book” by Sei Shonagon (清少納言). This is the spring part. Haruha akebono, youyou shiroku nariyuku yamagiwa sukoshi akarite (春はあけぼの。やうやう白くなりゆく山ぎはすこし明かりて/ In spring it the dawn that is most beautiful. As the light creeps over the hills, ).
On the right is a part of a Japanese old children’s song, Yuuyake Koyake (夕焼け小焼け/ Sunset, and afterglow) . The song starts, Yuuyake koyake no aka-tonbo (夕焼けこやけの赤とんぼ) . This was one of the songs my father would sing for me before I went to bed. He wasn’t a good singer but I remember it was very nice to hear him in my warm bed.
From the side, they look like normal small bowls. They might be perfect for some Oshinko (お新香/ pickles).
This is a very very small plate with the word 静 (sei / quiet, calm).
This is another size of small bowl with Yuuyake Koyake. Since it’s autumn now, I’m writing autumn theme words and poems.
My pottery skill is a lot to practice and in terms of the writing, I’m still working out the density of the ink. But this is where I am now and I wanted to share with you a little.
6 replies on “Calligraphy on pottery”
MaryBeth Reed
Beautiful work!
Juju Kurihara
Thank you, MaryBeth san.
Dorothy Yuki
I like them very much.
Juju Kurihara
Thank you, Dorothy san.
Once An Expat
nteresting work. When I was in Japan, my landlord was an amateur potter and he let me use his equipment on weekends. Never could get the clay centered on his 電動ロクロ, gave up and always used a hand wheel. Impressive too is the calligraphy on the pottery. I know how hard it is to get the glaze right and can appreciate how hard it can be to write on fired clay.
suhailmesuhail
Beautiful. Great idea. How were you inspired?