Japanese Pottery Articles
Regions and kilns, techniques, how to choose and care for your pieces. Articles to start your journey into Japanese pottery.
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Shoji Hamada and Bernard Leach: How East Met West and Mingei Began
The mingei movement began with the English potter Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, who crossed the sea with ...
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Bizen Pottery History: 1,200 Years from Sueki to the Tea Bowl
Bizen ware's history begins with Sue ware, which was introduced from the Korean Peninsula. Overcoming crise...
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Seto Ware: The Kiln Town That Named Japanese Pottery
Seto ware, originating from Seto City in Aichi Prefecture, is the ultimate namesake for Japanese ceramics (...
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Raku Ware: The Hand-Formed Tea Bowl, 15 Generations On
Raku ware is an iconic style of Japanese tea ceramics created in the late 16th century by master Chojiro un...
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Shigaraki Tanuki: The Lucky Raccoon-Dog of Japan’s Pottery Capital
Shigaraki Tanuki represents Shigaraki ware, symbolizing business success ("outsmarting rivals"). Featuring ...
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Yachimun: The Okinawan Pottery Shaped by the Island’s Clay and Sea
Yachimun is Okinawa’s iconic pottery, rooted in the Ryukyu Kingdom's trade history. Known for bold designs,...
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Hasami Ware: Everyday Japanese Porcelain from Nagasaki
Hasami ware from Nagasaki combines 400 years of porcelain craftsmanship with modern design. Originating as ...
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Echizen Ware: The Plainest of the Six Ancient Kilns
Echizen ware from Fukui is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns with over 800 years of history. Defined by ungl...
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Arita Ware: Japan's First Porcelain, 400 Years On
Established in the early 17th century in Saga Prefecture, Arita ware marks the historic birth of Japanese p...
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A Short History of Japanese Ceramics, Jomon to Now
Japanese ceramics history spans over 10,000 years — from Jomon clay pots to Arita porcelain, tea ceremony a...
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Shigaraki Ware: Why Its Clay Sparkles After 1,200 Years
Shigaraki ware, one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, has been fired for over 1200 years in Shigaraki-cho, Koka...
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Bizen Ware: Pottery With No Glaze at All
Bizen pottery uses no glaze, no paint — only clay and fire. One of Japan’s six ancient kilns, each piece de...
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Japanese Pottery: The Complete Guide
From Arita porcelain to Bizen stoneware and Raku tea bowls — japanese ceramics carry over 10,000 years of c...
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The Philosophy Behind Japanese Ceramics
Why do Japanese ceramics embrace imperfection? "Wabi-sabi", Zen, "Mingei "folk craft, "Ichigo-ichie" — Japa...
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Mingei: The Folk Craft Movement That Changed Pottery
Founded by philosopher Muneyoshi Yanagi, "Mingei" celebrates the profound beauty found in unsigned, everyda...
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Karatsu Ware: Kyushu's Rough, Tea-Loved Pottery
“First Raku, second Hagi, third Karatsu” — karatsu ware holds one of the highest rankings in Japanese tea c...
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Why Japanese Pottery Is Worth Buying (and Keeping)
What makes Japanese ceramics worth owning? It’s not just rarity — it’s centuries-old technique, region-spec...
