Japan | Cloisonné, Shippo-yaki & Kyo-Satsuma Ceramics (Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum) Enlarge History of Japanese Edo & Meiji Period Cloisonné and CeramicsChinese Cloisonné | Japanese Cloisonné The process of inlayed enameling in Japan predates the Nara period (710 to 794), but became more widespread during the 1500s. This coincides with the advent of Chinese fired enamelware ("Blue of Jingtai") during the previous century. The Japanese cloisonné enameling process was called shippo-yaki, meaning "seven precious things." The enamel paste used to create shippo cloisonné was called doro shippo, or "paste enamel." The "Golden Age" of Japanese Cloisonné production began in the late Edo period around 1808, and reached its zenith during the Meiji period from 1868 to 1912. During the the late Edo period, Japanese craftsman Tsunekichi Kaji developed a Cloisonné technique called "Yuusen-shippo" that used a delicate filigree wire made of brass, gold, or silver. The fine wire was glued rather than soldered to the base metal. 
Yasuyuki Cloisonné Ginger Jar from Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum (Photos by Yoichi Kimura) The majority of these early Japanese Cloisonné objects were manufactured for export to Western countries, and the design motifs found in these pieces reflected to tastes of Western collectors who were interested in "Asian" art. The Chinese scroll motif known as karakusa, which depicted branches and leaves was popularized during this shippo-yaki period. Owari Cloisonné from Shippo-choThe shippo cloisonné craft was centered around Tojima Village (now Shippo-cho), in Owari Province (now Aichi Prefecture) near Nagoya. One of the oldest known piece of Owari cloisonne is a sake cup from 1833 [7]. Early pioneers in Japanese Owari cloisonné techniques were Nagoya/Owari craftsmen Kaji Tsunekichi (1808 to 1883), Hayashi Kodenji (1831 to 1915), Ando Jubei, and Kawade Shibataro. Both Ando and Kawade introduced the French art of Piqué-à-jour cloisonné into their creations. 
Cloisonné Teapot (Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum) - Enlarge With the assistance of a German chemist named Gottfried von Wagner [6], the development of new methods for firing enamel provided the ability to create large fields of background color that were uninterrupted by multiple cell divisions. By the late 1800s, the cloisonné craft made its way to Kyoto, where a local craftsman named Namikawa Yasuyuki made improvements to the art-form. So-called Kyoto shippo is distinguished by the use of gilt wire. One of the most significant developments in the art of Owari Cloisonné was made by Namikawa Sosuke (1847 to 1910) in 1879, when he developed a technique for creating totally wireless enamelware. The total elimination of wire enabled the artisan to create elaborate scenic designs that were not possible with wire. Kyoto Satsuma Ware (Kyo-Satsuma) CeramicsSatsuma ware is a brown clay porcelain that is fired at a lower temperature. Originally created during the 16th century by Korean craftsmen living on Kyushu Island (Kagoshima prefecture) in southern Japan, Satsuma-ware production moved to the Kyoto region (kyoyaki) and the local Kinkozan Gen'emon ceramicists during the Edo period. 
Kyo-Satsuma Ceramic Tea Bowl (Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum) - Enlarge By the mid 1800s (Meiji Period), Kyo-Satsuma ware was a popular Japanese export, and ceramist Kinkozan Kobayashi became known for his polychrome overglaze enamels (iroe) produced at his Kagiya workshop in Kyoto. Jiki Shippo Meiji Ceramic & PorcelainAnother of the major developments in the art of Cloisonné enameling during the Meiji period was the invention of jiki shippo porcelain cloisonné. In jiki shippo (aka totai jippo or musen jippo) enamelware the enamel pigments are applied to ceramic pottery or a porcelain base instead of metal [3]. 
Ceramic Kyoto Satsuma Ware from Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum (Photos by Yoichi Kimura) The process of applying filigree wire and fired enamel to ceramic pottery was developed by Tsukamoto Kaisuke in 1868. Kyoto Satsuma earthenware became a popular base material for totai jippo.  Bibliography & Suggestions for Further Study on Cloisonné 1. Oppi Untracht, Jewelry Concepts & Technology - Complete Reference Guide 2. Woodrow Carpenter, History of Cloisonné Technique 3. Gregory Irvine, Japanese Cloisonné Enamels 4. Takeuchi Chubei - Japanese Cloisonné on Porcelain 5. Tokyo National Museum, Japanese Porcelain 6. Russell-Cotes Museum, Meiji Period Shippo Cloisonné 7. Traditional Crafts of Japan, Owari Cloisonné from Aichi Prefecture 8. Ando Cloisonne, Shippo Cloisonné from Ando 9. Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum, Meiji Period Cloisonné & Kyo-Satsuma |
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