Shoza ceramic style

The Shoza style of pottery was developed in Japan in the 19th century. Influenced by the work of many different artists, it consists of the use of different glazing and overglazing techniques.

What is called Shoza style comes from the production of Kutani ware, mainly porcelain and employing decorative lines of mostly reddish and black tones, using iron oxides. It is the most common aesthetic that has come down to us today of this type of Japanese ceramics.

This style is related to the celadon style, originally from China.

Shoza ceramics incorporate elements of traditional Japanese art and design, while using a modern aesthetic and style.

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Shoza style dish, Kutani, hand-decorated, by Shop vintage all day
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The Shoza Studio

The Shoza studio (庄三), established in the 19th century with Kutani Shoza as its principal director, produced a wide variety of products, including Western overglazes to create more neutral colors. His compositions often contained window frames made with a combination of small geometric designs in gold and red. These depicted scenes from daily life and famous people.

Modern Kutani ware has a strong heritage from the Shoza style. An innovative feature of this school was the specialization of craftsmen only in painting the surface of the pieces. Something that in the industrial era was already separated in many ceramic factories.

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Hand-painted Shoza style Kutani porcelain, by Arvi Antique Gallery
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