A few traditions
Raku: pieces pulled glowing from the kiln and cooled abruptly, which crazes the glaze. Closely tied to the tea ceremony, and hand-formed rather than thrown.
Hagi: porous clay and thin glaze, both of which stain slowly with tea. A hagi bowl is said to "change its face" over years of use. It is an object finished by its owner.
Bizen: unglazed, fired very long with wood. The colours come from ash and flame — every piece is a controlled accident.
Shino: thick white glaze, flecked with red, with characteristic pinholes.
Kintsugi
Repairing a broken piece with lacquer, then highlighting the join in gold. The repair is not hidden: it is shown, and a repaired object is often valued above an intact one.
True kintsugi uses urushi, a natural lacquer requiring weeks of curing in humid conditions and causing allergic reactions in many people. Epoxy kits give the appearance, not the technique — and are generally not food-safe.
What underlies these traditions: a piece is not finished when it leaves the kiln. It is completed by use, and the mark of time belongs to the object rather than degrading it.
Choosing a piece
Pick it up before looking at it. Weight, balance, the texture of the rim against the lip decide far more than decoration. A piece made to be held is recognisable in three seconds, with your eyes closed.
our piece on handmade objects sets out the marks of a genuinely thrown piece.