Structural properties of the red-color overglazes on the Kakiemon-style porcelains produced in the later 17th century by means of X-ray diffraction (I)

Abstract

Kakiemon-style porcelains produced at Arita areas (SAGA) in Kyushu Island are famous Japanese porcelains. The porcelain-techniques creating its elegant and bright red-color underglaze and overglaze were found and developed in 1650's (early Edo period) first by Kakiemon kiln. Red-color overglaze and transparent glaze of the Kakiemon-style porcelains have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. The results suggest that the red-color brightness is mainly induced by micro-structural correlation between ?-Fe2O3 fine particles, as red-color emission elements, and other oxides of SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, KNaO, PbO. The stability of the red-overglaze on the porcelain surface is related to interfacial fusion of the glasses existing in the fritted red-overglaze and the transparent glaze on the porcelain body. The ancient porcelain-techniques of the Kakiemon-style porcelains are clearly based on the micro-structural and material properties of the overglazes, the underglazes, and the transparent glazes, though the techniques were experimentally and accidentally found and developed in the Edo period.