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  There’s only one Kutani kiln left in Kanazawa these days -- the Kosen Kiln, which has been in the same family since 1871. After a pot is thrown, it’s fired for eight hours, then glazed and fired again for eight days. Several more glazings may follow, depending on the piece. It’s a process that requires patience, time and skill, and the final price tag reflects that: a simple cup or a miso bowl can easily cost several hundred dollars.

Photography by Hajime Kimura