Porcelain making in Japan began about 400 years ago in the Hizen region of Kyushu. This collection of white porcelain lighting was created with the skilled artisans of Arita, who have passed down this tradition for generations. Porcelain is known for its pure whiteness and gentle translucence. Unlike pottery, which blocks light, porcelain is the only ceramic that allows light to pass softly through.
Each piece is shaped using an old technique called slip casting. In this process, casting slip is poured into a dry plaster mold, filling it completely. The plaster slowly absorbs the moisture, causing the slip to harden from the outside in. As its thickness increases, even a few minutes can change the outcome, so the process requires careful timing. When the right thickness is reached, the extra liquid is poured out, and once the form is firm, it is removed from the mold, trimmed, and left to dry.
Porcelain shrinks by nearly 15 percent during firing, so each piece is made slightly larger to allow for this change. Some of the largest pieces in this collection require over 100 kg of casting slip, making the casting process a two-person task. Drying and firing must be done with great care, as small differences in conditions can cause warping or cracks. For artisans who usually make tableware, creating pieces of this size was a new challenge. The collection was brought to life through countless adjustments—refining the slip, perfecting the casting time, controlling thickness, temperature, shrinkage, and more.
The pieces are left unglazed, preserving the original matte texture of white porcelain. The sharp, geometric forms shaped by the mold soften during firing, giving them a quiet warmth. When unlit, they stand like elegant sculptures. When illuminated, the surface reveals ripples created by the flowing porcelain, bringing out a natural, glowing beauty.
Material
Unglazed
