Kyo-yaki & Kiyomizu-yaki

Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki were born from Kyoto’s tradition of the tea ceremony. These works feature a combination of the splendor and refinement that Kyoto is known for.

At the beginning of the Edo period, potter Nonomura Ninsei perfected a technique for creating colorful pottery. He used this technique to create many design featuring natural scenery such as flowering plants. At the end of the 19th century, many famous potters such as Aoki Mokubei appeared, sending Kyoto’s pottery industry into full bloom.

One of the characteristics of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki is that they include a wide variety of products, but very limited quantities of each. These luxurious pieces show a high-level of excellence, and the individual potters’ unique styles take center stage.

Dentou kogei literally translates to “traditional crafts”, and refers to Japanese crafts that that have been maintained for over 100 years in a designated area of Japan.

Master of Traditional Crafts is a national certification from the Japanese government. It is given to those who have learned and practiced traditional techniques and technologies for over 15 years.

Founded in 794, Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan for over a millennium. The city has preserved its refined culture and historical sites over 1200 years. Not only is it a world-famous cultural city, but almost the entire city is a World Heritage Site.