Izushi Wind Chimes🎐Traditional Porcelain Japanese Made

We are Cyberships, and with a goal of spreading the word about Japanese windchimes, items that are particularly characteristic of Japanese summers, we have created this project. Primarily, windchimes are made out of glass, but for this project, we introducing windchimes that have instead been created using a traditional Japanese handicraft, which is pottery. As many people know, but famous traditional Japanese crafted pottery techniques which use clay, stone and other materials to create items like plates, cups, and other objects, can be widely found in Japan. Windchimes are not only used for interior decoration, but also for healing during yoga or zen meditation.

However, in recent years, potters who can make Japanese pottery and ceramics are on the decline, and factories that can efficiently mass produce items have been on the rise, meaning that year on year Japanese ceramic production is declining. 
We want more people worldwide to learn about these amazing traditional Japanese cereamics, and so using this ceramic crafting technique, we deliver ceramic wind chimes to backers.
Ceramics are made by firing clay or stone at a high temperature, which in turn creates wind chimes which have a beautiful sound when rang.

Izushi-yaki or Izushi-ware is a traditional white porcelain ceramic that has been made for over 250 years in the town of Izushi, in Toyoka City, Hyogo Prefecture. The biggest characteristic of this porcelain is that it is as white as snow while being translucent. Created in Izushi, which flourished as a castle town in the Edo period (1603-1868), it has been passed down through generations of craftsmen.
It has a reserved elegant beauty, and was such a prestigious ceramic that it was presented to feudal lords as gifts in ancient times. 

For this project, we are bringing wind chimes which have been carefully crafted one by one by artisans who make use of Izushi-ware crafting techniques. 
The wind blows the pure white ceramic body, which makes a gentle, clear sound. The tone is adjusted one by one by hand, and the sound that lingers is a soft sound that will make you feel like you’ve heard it somewhere once before.
Wind chimes are not something that is made just to display!
In ancient Japan, the sound that the wind chimes produced were believed to ward off evil spirits, and were beloved items used to call in coolness in Summer.

Izushi-ware uses high-quality kakitani pottery stones that are low in iron content. These products, which are mainly white, take the colour from these stones. This results in a high-quality item that is brilliantly white, with a low content of iron. Izushi-ware is made by crushing this Kakitani pottery stone and mixing it with liquid, with the final result being a material that has the impurities taken out.

Izushi-ware are ceramic items that are normally functional tableware, such as plates, rice bowls, and teacups. Because of this, they are functional pieces that also beautiful to use as pieces of interior design. 

Izushi-ware white ceramic is extremely delicate and characterised by its beautiful translucent white colour. Glass wind chimes are also beautiful, but thanks to their elegance and luxuriousness, we feel they are a step up!

Glass wind chimes are also easy to crack and fracture, but as Izushi-ware has a thickness to them, they are more durable comparatively. (That is not to say the chimes are indestructible, they may also crack). If you want to use chimes for a long time to come, Izushi wind chimes should be your choice!

Izushi-ware has a history of about 250 years, and is a designated traditional national craft. At present, only 3 kilns make Izushi-ware.
Each kiln has worked to pass down the techniques through generations as well as the aesthetics, while at the same time looking to challenge themselves at creating items that fit the needs of the present day. Izushi-ware which has beautiful paintings or delicately carved pure white surfaces continues to fascinate and attract many customers with its elegance and subtle appearance.

Wind chimes are small chimes that are normally hung in summer in the eaves of houses and other places. The sounds produced by the chimes have various effects, and are used for healing in Japan during zen meditation and yoga.

The wind chimes are made carefully, one by one, by artisans who utilise traditional pottery techniques that are known as Izushi-ware. Izushi-ware has a characteristic, delicate, and beautiful white porcelain texture, and when they blow in the wind, they produce a gentle, clear tone, which gently announces the arrival of summer. As they are produced individually, the sound and shape of each one are subtly different, and you can enjoy them as a wind chime that is the only one in the world. You can use them as part of your interior design, or even give one as a gift to a loved one.

For this project, we are bringing chimes that have one of four different designs painted on them, Mt. Fuji, Dragonflies, Killifish, Plover, which are all hand-painted individually with a light blue paint, making each one unique. Why not get your own unique chime to hang in your garden!
 

The tanzaku, or thin strips of paper that are used for the wind chimes, are made from Japanese washi paper. Washi is a traditional, ancient Japanese paper, with each sheet being carefully made by hand, which gives it a warm and simple texture. The sound of the wind chime, which creates a cool summer feel, together with the gentle texture of the washi paper, creates a nostalgic Japanese atmosphere. As well as this, washi paper is air permeable and creates a unique beauty as it floats and flutters in the wind.

These items are produced in the town of Izushi, located in Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture. It’s a small town, but thanks to the traditional Japanese craft of Izushi-ware it is famous. However, in recent years, the problem that Japan as a whole faces, which is the lack of successors to various crafts, has meant that there is a lack of workers. By launching this project on Kickstarter, and having items arrive to backers, we believe it will link to the training of young craftsmen as well as being able to protect the local traditional culture of the area. As well as this, we hope that people worldwide will be able to learn more about Izushi-ware.

The Mt. Fuji design is a mixture of traditional blue and white silhouettes combined with contemporary abstract expressions. Fuji is often combined with wave patterns or cherry blossom patterns as well as cranes, and as a symbol of harmony is important.

Dragonflies are seen as being winning insects or Kachimushi 勝ち虫 as they are only able to fly forwards and can’t retreat, and so were considered an auspicious pattern for warriors. During the Warring States era, they were often used on armour and helmets as well as banners and flags.

Killifish, otherwise known as Japanese rice fish, are tiny, peaceful fish whose slow swimming form has become a symbol of peace of mind and calm everyday life. This motif reflects the Japanese spirit of living in harmony with nature.

The plover birds that fly in a pair symbolise a close marriage. They are often found on wedding outfits and items that are used for celebrations

You can also purchase a special stand as an add-on to display this beautiful wind chime.
In Japan, it’s common to hang wind chimes from curtain rails, but many people also enjoy displaying them with a stand.
Place it wherever you like and let the gentle sound of the chime bring a moment of peace to your day.

Size:43cm (17”)
Weight: 200 g

Size: 42cm (16.5”)
Weight: 90g