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Ceramic Classifications - YAML

Ceramics (yakimono) are classified into four types based on raw materials, firing temperature, and physical properties such as water absorption: earthenware, pottery, stoneware, and porcelain. Each type has distinct characteristics, uses, and historical backgrounds, playing important roles in Japanese traditional crafts and daily life. Earthenware represents the most primitive form dating back to the Jomon period, pottery supports Japanese food culture as representative tableware, stoneware creates unique textures through unglazed high-temperature firing techniques, and porcelain represents the most advanced craftsmanship producing elegant pieces.

ceramics pottery porcelain stoneware earthenware traditional crafts Japanese crafts tableware

- code: "1"
  slug: "earthenware"
  name: "Earthenware"
  description: "The most primitive form of ceramics, fired at low temperatures with high water absorption."
  firingTemperature: "700°C - 900°C"
  waterAbsorption: "High (10%+)"
  glaze: "Unglazed (typically)"
  translucency: "None"
  sound: "Dull sound"
  examples:
    - "Jomon pottery"
    - "Yayoi pottery"
    - "Flower pots"
- code: "2"
  slug: "pottery"
  name: "Pottery"
  description: "Traditional Japanese ceramics made from clay and fired with glaze application."
  firingTemperature: "1000°C - 1200°C"
  waterAbsorption: "Present (3% - 10%)"
  glaze: "Glazed (required)"
  translucency: "None"
  sound: "Dull thud"
  examples:
    - "Mino-yaki"
    - "Seto-yaki"
    - "Mashiko-yaki"
    - "Karatsu-yaki"
    - "Kasama-yaki"
- code: "3"
  slug: "stoneware"
  name: "Stoneware"
  description: "Robust ceramics with intermediate properties between pottery and porcelain, fired at high temperatures."
  firingTemperature: "1100°C - 1300°C"
  waterAbsorption: "Minimal (0.5% - 3%)"
  glaze: "Unglazed (typically)"
  translucency: "None"
  sound: "Relatively clear"
  examples:
    - "Shigaraki-yaki"
    - "Bizen-yaki"
    - "Tokoname-yaki"
    - "Tanba-yaki"
    - "Sue ware"
- code: "4"
  slug: "porcelain"
  name: "Porcelain"
  description: "Premium white, hard, and translucent ceramics made from ceramic stone and fired at high temperatures."
  firingTemperature: "1300°C - 1400°C"
  waterAbsorption: "None (0% - 0.5%)"
  glaze: "Glazed"
  translucency: "Yes (translucent)"
  sound: "Clear metallic ring"
  examples:
    - "Arita-yaki (Imari)"
    - "Kutani-yaki"
    - "Kyo-yaki"
    - "Hasami-yaki"