Shigaraki-yaki is considered one of the six ancient kilns—alongside Tokoname-yaki, Bizen-yaki, Echizen-yaki, Tanba-yaki, and Seto-yaki. The Shigaraki style comprises a wide variety of techniques. The style is also closely aligned to the spirit of “wabi-sabi,” with its motifs and glaze that are produced naturally from the ashes when wood fired. Today, the Shigaraki-yaki kiln is known for its ceramic tanuki statues.
The town of Shigaraki is located in Kôka District in Shiga Prefecture, right next to the Asamiya tea production zone.
Born in 1964, Ônishi Satoki is the son of Ônishi Chûza, one of the most prominent figures in Shigaraki. However, Satoki has trained independently of his father. He has developed a unique style, all while incorporating some of his father’s aesthetic elements into his work. He, of course, wood fires his pottery in anagama kilns, but he also uses gas and fuel kilns. Satoki takes great care during the preparation of his clay and brings out the qualities of the Shigaraki clay he uses. His pottery has a relatively thick grain; take Tokoname pottery as comparison, for example. Satoki is also an avid tea connoisseur, which is apparent in the great effort he puts into crafting his teapots and other tea ware.
And in 2013, he earned the title of dentô-kôgei-shi, traditional Shigaraki-yaki artisan.
We have here a piece fired in an anagama kiln.