Kutani ceramics, renowned for their vivid colors and intricate designs, originate from the mountainous region of Kaga in Ishikawa Prefecture. This craft dates back to the mid-17th century in the village of Kutani, where a local lord, Maeda Toshiharu, sent an artist named Gotô Saijirô to study porcelain-making in Arita, Kyûshû. Upon his return, Saijirô established a kiln in Kutani, where a suitable kaolin deposit had been found. This early production, known as Ko-Kutani (old Kutani), was characterized by multicolored decorations and unique pictorial styles. However, the kiln ceased operations after about fifty years, and the craft fell into a long period of dormancy that lasted nearly a century. The revival of Kutani ceramics began in the 19th century, thanks to the guidance of Kyoto artists and the financial support of a wealthy merchant named Yoshidaya Denemon. This revival era is referred to as Saikô-Kutani (reborn Kutani). Over time, several kilns with distinct artistic styles emerged, including the Yoshidaya, Miyamotoya, and Eiraku kilns, each developing its own unique aesthetic. In the late Edo period and early Meiji era, a ceramic painter named Kutani Shôza developed a distinctive style of gilded and multicolored decoration that became the foundation for modern Kutani production. The creation of Kutani ceramics involves a specialized division of labor among different trades, often in separate workshops. Potters shape the pieces, ceramicists handle the firing process, and painters add the intricate decorations. The process starts with extracting porcelain stone, primarily from the Hanasaka deposit. The stone is crushed and mixed with water to form a paste, which is then shaped using various techniques. After drying, the piece undergoes a first firing at around 800 degrees. Painters then apply a decoration using cobalt oxide, followed by a transparent glaze and a second firing reaching nearly 1,300 degrees. The final step involves applying five colors using mineral pigments called iwa-enogu, which reveal their true colors after a third, gentler firing. If the piece includes gold or silver highlights, a final low-temperature firing is added. There are several distinct styles of Kutani ceramics. The Ko-Kutani style is known for its use of five main colors: green, yellow, violet, indigo blue, and sometimes red. The Yoshidaya style, or blue-green Kutani, avoids red and uses the other four colors across the entire surface. The Iidaya style, or red Kutani, features fine red painting to depict human figures and small motifs, often enhanced with gold. The Eiraku style combines a red background with gold decoration, inspired by Kyoto ceramics. The Shôza style merges all previous techniques, blending vivid colors and gold highlights in detailed scenes. Visiting the main sites of Kutani ceramics is centered around Kaga and Nomi. In Kaga, the Kutani Kiln Relics Museum in Yamashiro Onsen showcases the 1826 Yoshidaya kiln and a 1940 chambered kiln, along with an exhibition building. The Ishikawa Museum Dedicated to Kutani, near Daishôji station, presents collections categorized into three major style families: Aote, Gosai, and Akae-Kinrande. In Nomi, the Kutani Tôgei-mura (Kutani ceramics village) includes the KAM, Kutani Ceramics Museum, which displays various ceramic styles and a gallery dedicated to the history of Kutani through its five symbolic colors. The museum also features the works of local ceramicist Asakura Isokichi. Visitors can try their hand at porcelain painting in an artisan workshop, though these activities are billed separately. A dozen potter’s shops surround the museum, offering the chance to buy directly from artisans. The Kutani Chawan Festival during Golden Week attracts around 100,000 visitors to Nomi. Prices for common cups or small bowls range from 2,000 to 6,000 yen, while more elaborate pieces in the Aote or Akae style can reach tens of thousands of yen. Contemporary master artists' signed pieces or authenticated antique objects can be significantly more expensive. Access to the Kutani region can be achieved by train from Kanazawa or Kyoto. To reach Kaga and Yamashiro Onsen, one can take the Shinkansen to Kaga Onsen station. The Kutani Kiln Relics Museum is accessible via the Onsen-Yamanaka bus line or the Can Bus tourist bus. The Ishikawa Museum Dedicated to Kutani is a short walk from Daishôji station. To reach Nomi and the Kutani Tôgei-mura, it is advisable to get off at Komatsu station, then take a taxi. Travelers with a car can visit both sites in a single day, as they are about thirty minutes apart by car. Komatsu station is also home to a major Japanese construction machinery brand, with two imposing machines on display.