Kohiki Rice Bowl

This bowl was created by an expert Japanese ceramic artist, Muraki Yūji using the kohiki firing technique adopted in Japan during the 1500s. Kohiki, also known as kofuki, enhances the surface of ceramics, lending them a soft texture and subtle colours. Kohiki ceramics are made using clay which is rich in iron. The ceramics are first covered with a liquid clay mixture known as slip to decorate them: this is frequently white but sometimes dark in colour. Subsequently a translucent glaze is applied before firing. This produces a simple and natural look which has long been prized by chadō (lit. Way of Tea) practitioners, who put a great emphasis on the look and feel of the bowls and cups they use.

Chūbu

The central Chūbu region is predominantly mountainous, home to the rugged Japan Alps with coasts on both the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean. The region's history has been shaped by its strategic position between the great cities of Kyoto and Tokyo with Nagoya at its heart. Niigata lies to the north while Mt Fuji can be found in the south in Shizuoka Prefecture.