Arita Ware "Technique - Forming"

"The Making of Arita Ware"

Forming

In Arita, forming porcelain ware is called "crafting (saiku)." Craftsmen do this work at crafting studios. A pot goes through a number of delicate forming processes before it is finished: the wet clay is thrown on the potter's wheel; if necessary it is pressed into a mold; the foot rim and surface are trimmed. Trimming a pot is performed meticulously, maintaining a sharp edge on the trimming tool.