About Iro-e
色絵は、透明な釉薬をかけて本焼した上に、絵の具で模様を描き、約800度の低い温度で焼いて仕上げる技法です。
| What is iro-e (overglaze enamel) |
Iro-e is finished by applying transparent glaze and painting patterns with paint, then firing them at a low temperature of about 800 degrees. That's why they are also called overglaze.
In the traditional way of making iro-e , Japanese paints are used. It is possible to use colors such as red, blue, yellow, green, and purple. Since the Meiji era, there is also a way of using Western paints.
Japanese paints were introduced from the Chinese mainland, and the color of the paint changes significantly before and after firing. On the other hand, Western paints hardly change color before and after firing, allowing mixing of paints and offering various colors.
| Making Process of Iro-e |
<Using Japanese paints>
1. Use a white vessel after firing
2. Draw the outline of the pattern
3. Paint each part with different Japanese paints
4. Fire at about 800 degrees to complete
<Using Western paints>
1. Use a vessel which turned red and purple after firing
2. Tape the parts where you want to separate the colors
3. Apply colors and patterns to each surface, remove the tape, and fire
4. Apply gold or silver colors and fire again to complete
＜Source: "What is Traditional Kōgei?" Edited by Japan Kōgei Association East Japan Branch / Published by Unsodo, P.14>
