Kyo-yaki & Kiyomizu-yaki
Akane-Japan
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Discover the distinctive and rustic beauty created by earth and fire. Feel a Japanese sense of “wabi-sabi” simplicity with this beautiful pottery.
Here Taketoshi, nationally certified Master of Traditional Crafts, carries on the tradition of creating rare and authentic Shigaraki pottery. Churokuen’s products are fired in an Anagama kiln (a type of tunnel kiln). Their ceramics are unglazed, but ash deposits settle and melt during the firing process to create a natural vidro glaze that can’t be achieved by any other method of firing.
The kilns can take many days to fire, and wood must be constantly supplied to achieve the high temperatures necessary to produce Shigaraki ware. Because Shigraki-yaki’s unique glazes happen naturally, each product is unique and is produced in a small quantity.
We hope you’ll enjoy these genuine Japanese traditional crafts created by nature.
Shigaraki-yaki ceramics are made in the Shigaraki-cho district of Koka City, in Japan’s Shiga Prefecture. It is said that this style of pottery was started in the middle of the Kamakura Period.
In 1976, Shigaraki-yaki was designated as a national traditional craft of Japan.
This pottery is made using soil from Lake Biwa, and has a rough texture, allowing you to deeply appreciate the warmth of this potter’s earthy look.
Figures of Japanese tanuki (raccoon dogs) have become so famous that they are synonymous with Shigaraki pottery.
Pottery from Shigaraki is known for its coarse texture and flame resistance. Since it is made by combining Kibushi clay with potter's clay, it has plasticity and high durability, making it the perfect material for large or thick items.
The charm of Shigaraki-yaki pottery comes from the color variations of its natural Vidro glaze. This glaze forms because the intense force of the flame in the kiln covers the objects in a blanket of ash. When fired, the pottery gains beautiful peach, pink, and reddish brown tones, as well as unique patterns due to the the Vidro glaze and scorching of the items. These one-of-a-kind pieces overflow with the tenderness of human vulnerability, and have a soft and warm quality that can not be found in pottery from any other region.
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.
The Six Ancient Kilns of Japan are ceramic production sites with long histories, home to the glazed Seto ware and unglazed Echizen, Tokoname, Shigaraki, Tanba, and Bizen ware. All six of these styles were conceived and developed in Japan, and are the foundation of the domestic ceramics industry. They were recognized as Japanese Heritage sites in the spring of 2017.
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Kyo-yaki & Kiyomizu-yaki, Shigaraki-yaki & Akane-Japan.
