Bibliography

A book list that can help you learn about Japanese ceramics.

Wilson, Richard L. Inside Japanese Ceramics: a primer of materials, techniques, and traditions, Weatherhill, New York & Tokyo, 1995.

An introductory book basically about tools, materials and techniques for practical use. It also provides historical backgrounds of Japanese ceramics and describes styles and characteristics of major wares. This book is useful not only for potters but also anyone who is interested in Japanese ceramics.

Simpsons, Penny., Kitto, Lucy., Sodeoka, Kanji. The Japanese Pottery Handbook, Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1979.

A useful handbook for potters who are studying pottery in Japan. The text is written in both English and Japanese with Japanese pronunciation. Lucy Kitto's beautiful drawings illustrate tools, equipment and techniques. The detailed information of this book helps readers picture how Japanese ceramic works are created.

Crueger, Anneliese., Crueger, Wulf., Ito., Modern Japanese Ceramics: Pathways of Innovation & Tradition, Lark Books, A Division of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 2004.

With a large number of photographs of works created by present-day potters, this book provides historical backgrounds, environments and techniques of production of wares produced in main pottery centres in Japan. Japanese ceramics enthusiasts will find its glossary and bibliography informative and useful.

The Japanese Craft Forum. Japanese Crafts: A Complete Guide to Today's Traditional Handmade Objects, Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1996.

A guide book that thoroughly covers Japanese traditional craftworks such as ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, woodcraft, metalwork and so on. The book describes materials and techniques in detail, which are applied to creation in each craft centres.

Kuroda, Ryoji., Murayama, Takeshi., Classic Stoneware of Japan: Shino and Oribe, Kodansha International, Tokyo, 2002.

A book specialized in Shino and Oribe wares. The book focuses mainly on the history and general information of Shino and Oribe with photographs of masterpieces created in premodern periods.

Bornoff, Nicholas., Freeman Michael., Things Japanese, Periplus, Singapore, 2002.

A book that provides introductions of things Japanese, many of them are craft works. A large number of beautiful photographs help readers imagine what they are and how they are used.

Murase, Miyeko ed., Turning Point: Oribe and the Arts of Sixteenth-Century Japan, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2003.

Momoyama period (1573-1615) was a turning point in Japan's art history. The book examines political, social and cultural changes of the period and explores how such backgrounds resulted in the drastic movement in Japanese art. The book focuses on ceramics, especially Oribe ware, but also features other forms of creations such as paintings, lacquerware and textiles.

Tsuchiya, Yoshio, The Fine Art of Japanese Food Arrangement, Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1985.

Food culture and tableware are closely related to each other. The diversity of Japanese tableware meets requirements of Japanese cuisines. Using photographs and drawings, the book describes the manners how different shapes and types of tableware are used and food is dished on them.

Yabe, Yoshiaki ed., Nihon Yakimonoshi (The Concise History of Japanese Ceramics), Bijyutu shuppansha, Tokyo, 1998. (Japanese)

An introductory book about the history of Japanese ceramics from prehistoric era up to 1990s.

Nakagawa, Sensaku, Kutani Ware, Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1979.

An old but useful book to learn Old Kutani ware from historical and archeological aspects as well as types and artistic values. The book also provides detailed description of Kutani ware from the early 19^th century onward. Its glossary helps us to find out the meaning of commonly used terms describing Japanese ceramics.

Shimura, Goro, The Story of Imari: The Symbols and Mysteries of Antique Japanese Porcelain, Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, 2008.

As the title describes, the book mainly instructs how to evaluate and appreciate antique Imari pieces. In addition to this, the book introduces background history and stories about porcelain production in Japan.