Unique glazed tone created by salt

Salt glazing uses a special glazing technique in which salt is used instead of glaze.

They are made by firing unglazed pieces at high temperature, and the salt is added from outside the kiln. Inside the kiln, the high temperature causes the salt to vaporize. This combined with the silicic acid and alumina contained in the base material, forms a glassy glaze film that covers the pieces and gives it a unique, beautiful sheen.

The salt glazing technique originated in Germany in the 13th century, but is now almost completely obsolete, and it is rare to find a kiln that uses this technique anywhere in the world. Ichinose-yaki Marutagama has been working with this technique for more than 50 years, creating new shades of color.

In the recent years, the technique has become increasingly popular among overseas customers, and people from all over the world visit the kiln in search for salt-glazed potteries.