Antique Kazuwa pottery teabowl #4917

- width: approx. 13cm (5 1⁄8in)

- height: approx. 7.8cm (3 5⁄64in)

- weight: 347g (w/ box 642g)

- potter: Yamane Toichi

Kazuwa Pottery Origin

Kazuwa Pottery originated in Hokikazuwa. Its history dates back to the era of Emperor Momozono when Wasaburo, a potter from Hizen, while traveling, found this land and its clay ideal for making quality pottery, thus creating the first Kazuwa Pottery.

Centuries later, when the tea ceremony was in vogue in Kurayoshi Town, Shinzan, the second son of the wealthy Yamagata Heisaburo and a tea ceremony expert, started producing pottery in his home.

In 1863, a potter named Sahachi came and named his pottery Hakuo-yama. In the Meiji era, the renowned Kyoto potter Takasu Mokuzen arrived, created Kazuwa Pottery, and earned acclaim. The pottery production paused until the early Showa period when Hirano Doun from Kaga came and started crafting hand-made pottery, regaining its prestige. Kazuwa Pottery nearly faced another decline, but was revived by the current kiln owner, Toichi Yamane, who continues to produce innovative and unique works. His creations have won awards at the Japan Crafts Exhibition, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Craft Exhibition, and repeatedly at the Chugoku and Shikoku Crafts Exhibitions.

The kiln is currently run by Yamane Yoshiko, a female potter born in 1944, who is the third generation of the family to run the kiln.