An exhibition showcasing Japanese high-fired ceramics, named Yakishime: Earth Metamorphosis, commenced at the Indian Museum in Kolkata on December 3, 2025. This event is a partnership between The Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata, the Indian Museum, Kolkata, and the Japan Foundation. The exhibition, entitled ‘Yakishime: Earth Metamorphosis’, explores the development of Japanese high-fired ceramics from practical everyday items to expressive sculptural forms.
Yakishime pottery has its origins in the fourth or fifth centuries. However, it was during the twelfth to seventeenth centuries that this technique became firmly established, significantly contributing to the production at major ceramics centers in Japan, such as Bizen, Shigaraki, and Tokoname. This exhibition provides visitors with a rich visual experience of the techniques, aesthetics, and philosophy underlying Yakishime pottery, emphasizing its cultural heritage and artistic evolution. Attendees can learn how the interplay of earth, fire, and craftsmanship has influenced Japan’s ceramic legacy over the centuries.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. ISHIKAWA Yoshihisa, Consul-General of Japan in Kolkata, and Mr. Arijit Dutta Chowdhury, Director of the Indian Museum, Kolkata. Dr. Sayan Bhattacharya, Deputy Director of the Indian Museum, Kolkata, along with Katsunori ASHIDA, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, were also in attendance at the opening ceremony.
