Kasama Ware: Japan's Freest-Spirited Pottery Town

When asked what Kasama ware is, it's not easy to answer.

This is because there is almost no constraint of "Kasama-likeness" in Kasama ware.

Bizen ware has the earthy texture of unglazed pottery, Arita ware has the sophistication of white porcelain, and Mashiko ware has the warmth of folk art. While many Japanese pottery producing regions have their own unique styles, Kasama ware is called "free Kasama ware" because of its wide range of styles. Many artists are active there. This freedom is the greatest characteristic of Kasama ware.

History of Kasama Ware

The origin of Kasama ware dates back to the 1770s. Its birthplace is the present-day Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It is said to have begun when the potter Kuno Han'emon learned techniques from Shigaraki and opened a kiln in the Kasama domain.

Initially, Kasama ware mainly consisted of practical items for daily use by farmers and merchants, such as jars (kame), water jars, and sake bottles, which were also commonly produced in Shigaraki. The main work was to create sturdy and easy-to-use vessels utilizing local clay.

The favorable geographical conditions provided an economic foundation for Kasama's pottery industry. Kasama City is home to the Kasama Inari Shrine—one of Japan's three major Inari shrines—and flourished as a temple town visited by pilgrims from all over the country. The sales channels for pottery expanded through these visitors, and Kasama potters were able to secure a stable market.

This characteristic of being an "open temple town" may be said to be the foundation for the "free-spirited nature" of Kasama ware in later years.

Why Kasama Ware Has No "Style"

The diversity of Kasama ware greatly accelerated after the 20th century.

A particularly important turning point was the opening of the Ibaraki Ceramic Art College in Kasama City in 1990. As one of the few educational institutions specializing in pottery in Japan, students aspiring to pottery gathered from all over the country. After graduation, many remained in Kasama and established their own studios.

The relatively affordable land and studio rents in Kasama, the already established community of artists, and above all, the weak constraints of "master figures" who impose a particular style. These conditions created an "artist-in-residence" like environment that attracted young potters from all over the country.

Currently, there are said to be 300 to 400 independent potters active in Kasama City. The range of their styles is astonishingly wide, and the following styles coexist within a single producing region:

・Simple tableware related to Yanagi Sōetsu's Mingei movement

・Minimalist and architectural white porcelain forms

・Contemporary art-like forms that would not look out of place in a gallery

・Delicate painted works with botanical and natural motifs

・Powerful stoneware fired in wood-fired kilns

There is no "fixed form" to identify Kasama ware. What exists is the individuality of each artist. That is the essence of Kasama ware.

Japan's Largest Pottery Festival, the Kasama Himatsuri

Indispensable when talking about Kasama ware is the **Himatsuri (Pottery Festival)**, held annually during Golden Week (late April to May).

Each time, approximately 500,000 visitors attend. Over 200 kilns and artists exhibit their works, bringing together all kinds of Kasama ware, from everyday tableware to one-of-a-kind art pieces. Many artists give demonstrations of potter's wheel and painting, allowing visitors to choose works while talking directly with the artists.

Since items can be purchased directly from the artists, prices are often more affordable than through galleries, making it enjoyable for a wide range of people, from beginners to collectors.

The venue is right next to the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum and Kasama Craft Hills, so it's possible to enjoy both the festival and a museum visit in one day.

If you want to directly see and purchase works by contemporary Japanese potters, the Kasama Himatsuri offers one of the best opportunities in Japan.

Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum

The Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, located on the Kasama Craft Hills campus, is a museum specializing in ceramic art. In addition to a permanent collection tracing the history of Kasama ware, it regularly holds special exhibitions by contemporary artists. Visiting before exploring Kasama's workshops and markets can provide a deeper understanding of the context and depth of Kasama ware.

The Openness of Kasama Attracts Young Artists

Another major characteristic of Kasama is its receptive culture towards outsiders.

Among Japan's pottery producing regions, many are "hereditary" towns where techniques are passed down from parent to child within families, making it difficult for artists from outside to settle down. Kasama is relatively free from such closed-mindedness. Affordable land, a community of established artists, and an acceptance of diverse styles—this combination creates an ideal "artist-in-residence" environment for young potters considering relocating to a rural area.

As a result, Kasama's pottery community is particularly young and diverse among Japan's pottery producing regions. It is a town where you can feel the "ongoing progress" of ceramic art, rather than just the "preservation" of tradition. This may be Kasama's greatest appeal.

Kasama Ware: Easy to Find Your Favorite Piece Because There's No Fixed Style

The most important thing when purchasing Kasama ware is to find an artist whose work you love.

When choosing works at a festival or gallery, it's a good idea to ask the artist about their background and artistic philosophy. When you pick up a piece after hearing its story, your perception of it might change. Cherishing encounters with specific artists rather than the "Kasama ware" brand is the secret to enjoying Kasama ware.

And Kasama ware particularly excels in tableware for everyday use (mugs, plates, bowls). There's an abundance of pieces that combine artistic sensibility with practicality. Start with small items as an introduction. Collecting pieces little by little from your favorite artists is the way to enjoy Kasama ware.

Access to Kasama

Kasama City in Ibaraki Prefecture is approximately 90 minutes by train from Tokyo (get off at Kasama Station on the JR Mito Line). Workshops and galleries are scattered around the station area, and Kasama Inari Shrine and the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum are also within walking distance.

Accommodation is limited, so day trips from Tokyo or Mito City are common. During the Himatsuri period, it can get crowded, so early arrival is recommended.

Beyond Tradition: Tomokazu Kawasumi, a Rising Artist Shining in the Contemporary Pottery World (Kasama)

If the "Six Ancient Kilns" with their 1000-year tradition are an unshakeable foundation, then in today's Japanese ceramic art world, there are pioneers who, while inheriting that tradition, are opening up new possibilities for clay with entirely fresh sensibilities. A prime example is Tomokazu Kawasumi (born 1996), a young potter who is attracting keen attention in the Kasama ware producing region of Ibaraki Prefecture.

Born in 1996, Kawasumi graduated from the Ibaraki Prefectural Kasama College of Ceramic Art, honed his skills at the renowned Kasama kiln "Otsu Koyo," and became independent in 2023. The greatest feature of his style is the "metallic texture" created by his unique blend of Kasama clay and meticulous firing. While his vessels may at first glance resemble weighty bronze or antique metalware, they possess a warmth unique to clay when touched, and are highly acclaimed as modern tableware that beautifully enhances food.

Furthermore, he has released a series of works that defy traditional notions of ceramics, such as the "Rock Bark" series, which expresses rough textures like rock faces or tree bark by carving clay and scorching it with a burner, and the black and white "Zebra" series, reminiscent of zebras. His artist-made pots for caudex plants, which have become a recent boom, are also extremely popular.

Kawasumi's philosophical worldview, which blossomed precisely because of Kasama's free atmosphere, where it's said that "its characteristic is having no characteristic." He is one of the artists who allows us to experience "the forefront of contemporary craftsmanship" beyond the history woven by the Six Ancient Kilns.

View the detailed collection of artist Tomokazu Kawasumi

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan

Q1. What is the difference between the traditional "Six Ancient Kilns" and "Kasama ware," where Tomokazu Kawasumi, introduced in the article, is active?

There are significant differences in their historical length and stylistic "freedom." The Six Ancient Kilns have a history of over 1000 years and tend to preserve regional clay and traditional techniques (such as wood-fired kilns), whereas Kasama ware (Ibaraki Prefecture) is a relatively new production area that began in the mid-Edo period. Kasama ware has fewer specific techniques or traditional constraints, and its culture respects the individuality of artists to the extent that "its characteristic is having no characteristic." Therefore, it provides an environment where free and innovative expressions, such as Kawasumi's metallic glazes and modern textures, are likely to emerge.

Q2. Are unique vessels like Tomokazu Kawasumi's "metallic texture" and "Rock Bark" easy to pair with food?

While seemingly unique, they are actually vessels that beautifully showcase food. Kawasumi's metallic works (such as manganese glazes) have a matte, deep color that enhances the colors of dishes, adding a sense of luxury to everything from Japanese cuisine to modern Western dishes and bistro fare. Furthermore, vessels mimicking natural textures, like the "Rock Bark" series, instantly elevate everyday meals, desserts, or fresh salads to a sophisticated atmosphere simply by plating them.

Q3. Where can I see or purchase works by young artists from Kasama and contemporary pieces from the Six Ancient Kilns?

There are three main methods:

Visit local exhibitions and pottery fairs: Attending the "Kasama Himatsuri (Pottery Festival)," where Kawasumi also exhibits, or solo exhibitions at local galleries (such as "Sarasa" in Kasama), allows you to talk directly with the artists while choosing pieces.
Utilize select shops and specialty tableware stores: You can purchase works by young artists that fit contemporary lifestyles at specialty tableware stores in urban areas like Tokyo, or through online marketplaces (such as Nokaze) that feature artists' works. Nokaze provides detailed information, from the artists' background stories to their Instagram accounts.

Kasama Ware: Its Present and Future, Fostered by a Free Spirit

In this article, we introduced Kasama ware, which continues to transmit vessels that blend into modern lifestyles with its unbound, free style, along with the charm of Tomokazu Kawasumi, a young potter who stands out at the forefront of this movement. The appeal of Kasama ware lies in its culture that respects the individuality of artists, to the extent that it is said "its characteristic is having no characteristic," and innovative works that resonate with contemporary art and interior design are constantly being born there.

And while seemingly unique, it possesses a high-quality feel that beautifully enhances plated dishes, elevating daily dining to a modern level.

If the "Six Ancient Kilns" with 1000 years of history are the unshakeable foundation of Japanese pottery, then Kasama ware and Kawasumi's works represent "the forefront of contemporary craftsmanship," paving the way for the future while embodying that tradition.

Why not embark on a journey to Kasama in Ibaraki Prefecture to immerse yourself in its free atmosphere and search for your favorite vessel? A piece infused with an artist's passionate sensibility is sure to enrich and beautify your daily life.

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