bahrainthismonth.com | NOVEMBER 2026 LIFESTYLE 80 Earth Transformed by Fire Clay, fire and centuries of craftsmanship take centre stage as YAKISHIME – Earth Metamorphosis brings Japan’s unglazed ceramic tradition to Bahrain for a November exhibition. An ancient Japanese craft will find a temporary home in Muharraq this month, as YAKISHIME – Earth Metamorphosis opens at The Art Station in Muharraq Souq. Running from November 5 to 25, the public exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Bahrain. Part of the Japan Foundation’s travelling exhibition programme, the showcase explores how a seemingly simple process, firing clay without an applied glaze, has developed into a rich artistic tradition. Through tea utensils, tableware and contemporary sculptural works, it traces the relationship between ceramics, daily life and Japanese cultural expression. Shaped by Fire Yakishime involves firing unglazed ceramics at temperatures of around 1,200°C to 1,300°C. This intense heat binds the clay tightly together through vitrification, creating durable vessels without the separately applied glassy coating familiar from many other ceramic traditions. The kiln also contributes to the finished appearance. Ash falling onto a piece during firing can create a natural glaze, allowing the process itself to leave visible traces on the surface. The resulting objects draw attention to the character of the clay and the changes it undergoes in the fire. The exhibition places this technique within a long historical context. Its earliest known antecedents date to the fourth or fifth centuries, while production became firmly established at centres including Bizen, Shigaraki and Tokoname from the late 12th century onwards. These pottery centres developed traditions that continued through Japan’s medieval period and remain influential today. The exhibition’s historical introduction uses photographic panels to follow the development of yakishime from early examples to the early modern period, providing context for the works on display. From Ritual to Sculpture A central theme is the relationship between Yakishime and the Japanese tea ceremony. During the Momoyama period, these ceramics became particularly prized, with fresh-water jars, tea bowls, tea caddies and vases produced for use within this carefully considered cultural practice. Their appeal extended to food presentation. Bowls, plates and other serving pieces were created for kaiseki, the meals accompanying the tea ceremony. Seen in this context, the ceramics offer insight into how the choice of a vessel contributes to the experience of preparing, presenting and sharing food. Although glazed pottery and porcelain grew in popularity during the Edo period, yakishime continued to be made for everyday use. Renewed interest in Momoyama ceramics during the 20th century helped bring earlier styles back into focus. The exhibition also examines the possibilities contemporary artists have found beyond functional vessels. Sculptural objects demonstrate how an established technique can support new forms, while works made with unglazed porcelain clay introduce another direction within the tradition, giving particular emphasis to strong outlines and sharply defined forms. Curated by Mieko Iwai of the Panasonic Shiodome Museum, YAKISHIME – Earth Metamorphosis brings these different strands together through objects associated with ritual, dining and artistic experimentation. For visitors in Bahrain, the Muharraq presentation offers an opportunity to examine the material closely and discover how Japanese ceramic artists continue to explore the expressive potential of earth and fire.
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