Glazing｜Creating the Shine and Texture of Each Piece

The making of Hasami ware involves many different processes, including forming, decorating, glazing, and firing.

At Takayama, once the bisque-fired pieces arrive at our factory, they gradually take on their patterns and character through a series of processes such as dust removal, pad printing, underglaze decoration, and hand painting by our artisans.

This time, we would like to introduce the glazing process carried out on the first floor of our factory.

https://youtu.be/zSv0iSaIwq0?si=atODx4nBRlGYdxUj

釉薬かけの工程

｜What Is Glazing?

釉薬をかけている様子

Glazing is the process of applying glaze to a piece after it has been decorated.

Glaze is a liquid material applied to ceramics before firing. When the piece is fired in the kiln, the glaze transforms, giving the surface its distinctive shine and texture while also influencing the final appearance of the colors and overall finish.

Before firing, the glaze often appears white and opaque. It is only through the heat of the kiln that it develops into the surface and character seen on the finished piece.

｜An Important Process That Shapes the Final Finish

色釉もたくさんあります

The way glaze is applied affects the shine, texture, and appearance of the colors after firing.

For this reason, glazing is one of the key processes that determines the final quality and character of a piece.

Because glaze flows and settles differently depending on the shape and size of the ware, each piece requires careful attention. At Takayama, we observe the condition of each item and apply the glaze carefully, one piece at a time.

At first glance, a freshly glazed piece may simply look as though it has been coated in white. Yet this layer will later become part of the distinctive shine and texture that emerge after firing.

｜Preparing the Piece for Firing

Glazing also plays an important role in preparing decorated pieces for the firing process.

Patterns and lines created through underglaze decoration or hand painting are covered with glaze and then fired in the kiln, where they become permanently integrated into the surface of the ware.

Decoration, glazing, and firing.

As each of these processes connects to the next, the piece gradually approaches its finished form.

｜What to Look for During a Factory Tour

工場見学の様子

During our factory tour, you may be able to see glaze being applied to the ware and observe how the texture of each piece changes before it is fired.

Seeing ceramics at this unfinished stage is one of the unique experiences of visiting a working pottery factory—something that is difficult to imagine simply by looking at the finished product.

At Takayama, we also use glazing robots to help maintain consistent quality. By combining the skilled work of our craftspeople with production technology, we continue making ceramics every day.

*Please note that, depending on the production schedule, the glazing process and glazing robots may not be operating during your visit. If you would particularly like to see these processes, please contact us in advance.

At Takayama’s OPEN FACTORY, you can experience the actual environment where our ceramics are made.

Come and see for yourself how Hasami ware passes through a series of processes before becoming a finished piece.