The Kote (コテ) is a fundamental Japanese pottery tool—ribs and trowels made of wood, bamboo, or metal, often custom-shaped for each vessel type. Kigote (木ゴテ) are a subset of kote tools, specifically carved from hardwood (like cherry, oak, or boxwood). Ribs and trowels are used to form, smooth, and compress clay surfaces.They embody the balance of precision and handcraft, with their tool marks (kote-ato) often embraced as part of the vessel’s beauty.