Fuminari Araga

Known for his kohiki works, Fuminari Araga is a potter who explores the expressive qualities of white slip decoration. Kohiki involves coating the surface of a vessel with white slip (liquid clay), creating a soft, luminous finish.

Unlike the more stable method of applying slip after bisque firing, Araga applies the slip directly onto half-dried, wheel-thrown forms before any firing takes place. This technique, known as namagake, produces a thin layer of slip that can at places appear almost translucent. The delicate white surface lends a subtle warmth to his pieces while preserving the vitality and softness of the underlying clay.