What are the most durable forms of iron pots?

Since Muromachi and Edo, iron pots have evolved over the centuries, and there are thousands of shapes, and the most enduring of them all are the classic shapes. Since their creation, these classic pots have become a favorite of pot artists of all eras, and they continue to develop new ideas.

The most enduring shapes of iron pots are: Nanbu pots, Hiromaru pots, Baozhu pots, Baobao pots, Zenkata pots, Octagonal pots, Maru shaped pots, Square pots, Jujube shaped pots, and Fuji shaped pots, which are a dozen or so pots many pot makers have made.

Harusai Fuji-shaped ribbed iron pot [no. 45699]

Why are classically shaped iron pots so attractive? Because the iron pots that have been handed down to this day are classics that have stood the test of time and have been baptized by the aesthetics of generations of pot lovers.

Today we will look at southern iron pots from an aesthetic point of view, and explore the aesthetic origins and design ideas of southern ironware.

The Daikoku Shobo Bag-shaped Iron Pot [No. 50747]

The Design Language of Nanbu Iron Pot--The Shape of the Pot

The term "shape" is an ancient term for the way in which an object is shaped and is also referred to as the "shape of the object". It is a style of objects designed and made according to the various needs of life, utilizing different crafts, materials and techniques, which have both material and spiritual functions. The famous Japanese folk art theorist and aesthetician, Tsuneetsu Inhibition, said in "The Way of Craftsmanship" that "the beauty of craftsmanship is the beauty of utility, and the body used must be sturdy, and, as a daily utensil, it must be able to stand up to the test of harsh conditions."

Because of the functional needs of daily life, the development of the iron pot form has evolved from kettle to pot. The beauty of the iron pot is attributed to the grain, and its charm is attributed to the type. The perfect combination of function and form has allowed the Japanese cast iron tradition to continue and be passed on. The shapes of Nanbu iron pots are divided into three main categories: geometric, natural and tattooed.

1. Geometric forms

(1) The rounded form

The most traditional rounded form, the maru-shaped pot, is the king, from which the mantle form is derived, and the pattern of the mantle-shaped pot is divided into two types: latticework combined with plain surfaces, and latticework on the whole body. There is also the round-based extension of the cloth ball-shaped iron pot, the overall simplicity is difficult to clumsy, the body of the pot due to the casting of the line left in the center of the pot to make the pot more spatial sense of shape.

Hinomaru-form

Hinomaru Tekkoku [no. 45789]

Maru-form

Maru-form Ume Tekkoku [no. 50168]

Hirakumaru-form

Hirakumaru-form Fujima Tekkoku [no. 49202]

Budon-shaped

Budon-shaped Tekoku [no. 45787]

Budo type Tekkoku [no. 45787]. 45787]

Teppo-shaped

Teppo-shaped cast iron kettle [no. 45697]

(2) Square, but not one style

In addition to the rounded shapes that we see in everyday life, the square shape is an essential category in the geometric modeling of the iron kettle. Square wares are mainly categorized into four-square, six-square, and eight-square wares of various proportions. The straight lines of square iron pots are much more upright and sharp than those of round iron pots.

Four-square

Square iron pots [no. 49133]

Six-square

Hexagonal iron pots [no. 49166]

Eight-square

Octagonal iron pots with tail pendants [no. 50154]

2, natural forms

This form was inspired by nature, with the casters using their own techniques in their casts. After carefully observing and studying the forms of various objects, the caster adopts the artistic method of molding the form from nature but above nature. For example, the "Mt. Fuji-shaped iron pot" uses the mountain as a reference, and uses an integrated casting technique to create a pot with smooth lines.

Fujiyama-kata

Fujiyama-kata Sakura-marked iron pot [no. 48315]

3. Sinew-shaped form

Sinew-shaped forms are characterized by the use of petals, leaves, and gourd ribs inspired by nature, and the use of sinewy lines in the shape of these objects divides the pot into different parts, creating a richer and more complex form than that of the square and rounded forms, especially from the top viewpoint.

Marukata Sashiko Iron Kettle [no. 50753]

Bonjaku Kankei Sashiko Maple Iron Kettle [no. 45686]