In 1972, Shinemon I, born Shinichiro, started the Shinemon Kiln, aspiring to create large-sized ceramics, which was uncommon at the time. At the beginning, he applied sometsuke technique to his large ceramics, 2 to 3 feet in height, drawing patterns in deep-blue underglaze on a white background. His focus, however, gradually shifted to yohen technique, where unexpected colours and patterns emerge in the course of firing, depending on the chemical composition of the glaze. His encounter with cinnabar, in particular, would have a tremendous effect on the future of the Shinemon Kiln. Today, the Shinemon Kiln mainly creates yohen ware, using glazes such as ruby-red cinnabar and crystal glaze, and, with the slogan of “brilliance of form, amazing effect of glaze,” boasts its yusai technique with layers of different glazes fusing together to create beautiful gradation of colours.

“Mr. Shinemon Baba revived the Shinemon Kiln with a passion for creating large-sized Arita ceramics. I see promise in his sincere attitude toward ceramic art and recommend his works.”Shigeru Hori, Member of the House of Representatives of Japan.