A pottery technique with Rice

Photo: nihonbi.wordpress.com

‘Hakeme’ is a decorative ceramic technique which uses a stiff brush to apply slip directly to the surface of pots or dishes.  The slip on the surface creates a rustic look appearing like unfinished or small cracks. This is called "Wabi-sabi". The handmade brush is made from grain straws, mainly rice straw. In Korea the technique is coarse and obvious, whereas in Japan the technique became more refined and soft.