Tokoname Feet

Bart Thomas(deceased)

Following up on a comment by Ian in the Tree of the Day (for April 13th) topic, here is a photo of a Tokoname pot.

It seems common in these to have the feet unglazed, presumably in the natural clay color. Sometimes, it is a distraction.

Does anyone know why this is done?

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Tokoname feet.jpg (45.7 KB, 44 views)

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rockm

I think it's also functional. Glazing the feet could result in welding the pot to the kiln shelf when it's fired.

grampz

I find the contrast quite appealing on a lot of pots...Perhaps it is a matter of un-refined taste on my part, but I do like them better...The major difference between bonsai pots and many other forms of ceramic ware is the feet...If I am choosing between two similar pots I will usually choose a pot with contrasting feet, unless it is one of those oval pots with the feet on the ends and sides instead of the corners [I really don't like those...always looks unbalanced to me]...I have even used a dremel and a stone tip to remove the glaze on some cheaper pots...Probably would never do this with a Tokoname pot though...

Regards
Behr

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ripssurf

i asked my wife this. her home is near some famous pot factory in japan where they make mashikoyaki (i think that is the name).

anyway, i asked her why people do this and she that there are two reasons. the first reason is because if the pot is completely glazed, then air cannot pass through the pot. she said that air can actually pass through the pot this way and into the soil. it makes sense to me because the unglazed portion is very porous.

she the second reason is simply for design.

i wonder though why that is...maybe some of the potters here can give us a better answer.

jeff

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Bonsainut

That is why I do it that way.


But if Ripssurfs Wife lived by a pottery factory-- maybe just maybe...



Ps. Most bonsai pottery is high fired stoneware^5 or above and has little to no breathablity.

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Joanie

Nut is right....the stoneware wouldn't breathe at all. That is what stoneware is all about. If it could breathe, then water could also go through it, and if it did that, it would crack from the frosts. "Vitreous" is the term, which means that it has little or no porosity.

As to the feet, the glaze could probably go lower on the feet and still not stick to the kiln shelf. However, design-wise it may make more sense to have it stop just above the feet. Neater, and less risky if the glaze were to run excessively.

The feet could also be tinted with oxides before the glaze was applied and fired, if darker feet were desired.

Joanie

mike_p

I think that the idea that a ceramic pot can "breathe" is absurd. Take that pot, securely plug the holes and then fill it with water. See how fast the water runs out throught the breathing pores.
The way to introduce oxygen to your roots is first, use a porous soil. When you water, water thoroughly until the excess runs out the drain holes. As the water passes through the soil, it will pull air behind it. Thats how roots are oxygenated.

Mike

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Joanie

Oh, and if they wanted the feet glazed also, they could support the pot from below using stilts or supports during the glaze firing. That way the glazed feet wouldn't stick to the shelves.

There's more than one way to skin a ...... uh oh, Pootsie just walked in....
Never mind.

Joanie

ripssurf

i could have misunderstood her. actually, i probably did. ill talk to her again tomorrow about it...

jeff

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