classic

A Japanese pottery master throws a classic tenmoku tea bowl

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Pottery master Sokei Aoyama has spent his life researching ancient techniques and reproducing pottery. In this video, he throws a tenmoku tea bowl using the same technique as the craftsmen of ancient Japan, as far back as the Heian period. Aoyama-sensei is based in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture, and has traced the production of the white tenmoku (Japanese: shiro tenmoku) to the town of Onada. This pottery is a very rare example of ceramics not having originated in China or Korea, but being unique to Japan.

Biordi’s Artisans: The Best in Italian Ceramics

16 Comments / Italian Ceramics /

This 2012 video documentary showcases the Italian artists who produce Biordi Majolica.

Biordi Art Imports, located in San Francisco, has been bringing the finest Italian ceramics to the United States since 1946. We were the first Majolica store and still are the leader in this field.

In this video we will take you on a journey throughout the most ancient and renown ceramic towns of Italy. From Caltagirone in Sicily to Faenza, through Deruta, Gubbio, Castelli, Rimini, Florence and Siena.

You will see true masters at work in their studios and you will appreciate the classic designs and intricate patterns from Deruta, together with the works from the other ceramic towns.

This video was produced with love and dedication over a period of six month time by the same people who work at Biordi. In this video we want to share our profound feelings of appreciation when visiting our Italian artists.

Please visit us at and, if you get a chance, visit us at 412 Columbus Ave. in San Francisco.