Kanazawa and its neighboring towns have been making kutani ware since the 17th century. Known for its bold designs and five signature colors -- red, yellow, green, purple and dark blue -- kutani is instantly recognizable. Glazes are generally made from wood ash, clay and metal oxides, but the exact ingredients are family secrets, passed down from one generation of potters to the next. Kutani is typically fired three or four times, and the whole process can take weeks. Read Less