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Shippō

Let’s start at the foot of the vase. The foot of the vase is painted with enamel, which is not commonly seen in vases. Different from the main body where Japanese ink painting and woodcut elements are used, the design of the foot is a relatively abstract pattern with a variety of colors adding more detail to the vase. The pattern of foot and mouth echoing each other reflects the beauty of harmony. The painting on the foot is made using a technique called Japanese Cloisonné, (shippō). The term cloisonné comes from the French word “cloisons,” which can be translated as “a division into parts”. A division into parts is crucial to this technique.

When making shippō, artisans attach wires to a metal base using a rice-paste or glue (not through soldering as ancient Greek artisans did). After the wires are fixed on the base, the craftsman takes the enamel paste, a mixture of enamel and water, and uses a bamboo pen to gently place the paste in the wire cells. After this step, it must rest for some time, letting the moisture evaporate. Once the piece is completely dried, it is placed in a muffle kiln. After fusing, the artist takes it out for cooling, and more enamel paste layers can be added. The piece can be fired repeatedly. Finally, it is sanded and polished to achieve a glossy surface. Let us continue this story by moving all the way to the top of the other vase...