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Large Ceramic Mingei Dish in the form of an Abalone Shell

A large 19th century mingei dish in the shape of a white abalone shell from the Fukagawa So-no-sei Kilns of Hagi (not to be confused with the Fukagawa Porcelain company from Arita). A pale, blue-tinged crackled glaze covers the basin, with six prominent stem marks inside. On the underside barnacles cling to the surface, surrounding a foot of raw, age darkened clay. Custom made kiri-wood collectors box titled Fukagawa-Yaki Awabi-Bachi. About the artist: In 1653 Kurasaki Gorouemon, the third son of an underling at the original Hagi kilns started under feudal patronage by Korean Potters in 1600, was granted license to create pottery independent of direct feudal governance in the town of Fukagawa, opening the kiln in 1657. At that time this new ware was called So-no-sei Yaki after the Sonosei River which runs through the valley. During the 18th century with a growth in potters the number of communally used kilns increased, with a West and East So-no-sei Kiln, and by the end of the Edo period there were 12 kilns operating in the area. Unlike the Feudally governed kilns of the nearby Matsumoto area which specialized in tea ware, the Fukagawa Kilns created a variety of items for daily use. However, the industrial revolution that followed the Meiji restoration saw an immediate decline, and currently there are only five kilns remaining.