Written by experienced researchers of vintage Japanese objects in Kyoto and Tokyo, tea practitioners and master restorers, these articles trace centuries of Japanese craftsmanship and share the cultural background, aesthetics and connoisseurship of ceramics, tea ceremony utensils, maki-e lacquer and metalwork.
The Evolution of the Tea Ceremony Through the Ages. The tea ceremony is an art of living rich in philosophy and aesthetics. Its development can be traced back to China's Tang dynasty, and over time it gradually evolved
1. Choose a suitable space. When arranging a tea ceremony setting, first choose a quiet space with a calm atmosphere. The traditional Japanese tea room, known as a chashitsu,
Japanese Ceramic Antiques: History and Collecting Value. The Historical Background of Japanese Ceramic Antiques. Japan's ceramic history dates back thousands of years, but its development peaked in the Edo
Collecting Japanese Buddhist Art: History and Collecting Value. The Historical Background of Japanese Buddhist Art. Japanese Buddhist art is an important part of Japanese culture, deeply influenced by India, China
How to Distinguish Japanese Buddhist Artifacts. Japanese Buddhist artifacts come in a rich variety with deep historical backgrounds; distinguishing them requires looking at their material, period, artistic style, use and
A Complete Guide to Learning the Japanese Tea Ceremony. The tea ceremony, one of the essences of traditional Japanese culture, is not only a ritual of drinking tea but also a discipline that blends aesthetics, etiquette and spirit
Appreciating a piece is not only a matter of refined taste; it is also key to telling genuine from fake. Click a glossary card to read the indicators every collector should know.
TOMOBAKO & KIWAMEBAKO
The tomobako is the original paulownia wood box inscribed and signed with a kaō by the maker; the kiwamebako is a box inscribed later by a noted expert or school head to attest to the piece. Both are key records for tracing a piece's origin, and they differ markedly in value.
KANNYU & AMAMORI
Crackle in the glaze (kannyu) forms from differing rates of expansion under heat and cold; soft stains (amamori) form as tea seeps into the body over decades. Tea practitioners prize both as natural beauty.
SURIKIN & PATINA
On lacquerware and kinrande porcelain, centuries of handling leave rims with a soft matte sheen that also helps with dating. Fake wear made with acid or sandpaper leaves harsh edges without a natural, graduated luster.
YOHEN & HIDASUKI
On unglazed wood-fired wares such as Bizen and Tamba, straw wrapping or melting ash creates red scorch lines (hidasuki) and sesame-like ash deposits (goma), giving a natural wabi-sabi texture.
DASING Japan Art Warehouse continues to gather background on wares from the Edo to Shōwa periods, research on tea ceremony schools, and the aesthetics of traditional crafts. Browse the articles in our Knowledge section and discover the craft and culture behind Japanese antiques.
Whenever we publish a new article on Japanese antique art or an in-depth feature on a type of ware, we will share it with you by email.
