Directory of Japanese Pottery Centres and Kilns

Japan has hundreds of pottery towns, each with its own clays, kilns and traditions. Knowing the main centres helps you place a piece, read its box and understand its character. This directory lists the names collectors meet most often.

The Six Old Kilns

Six kilns with continuous production since the medieval period are known together as the Rokkoyō, the Six Old Kilns.

Kiln Prefecture Known for
Seto Aichi Glazed wares since medieval times; its name became the Japanese word for ceramics in eastern Japan
Tokoname Aichi Large storage jars, red clay teapots and bonsai pots
Echizen Fukui Robust unglazed jars and vessels
Shigaraki Shiga Coarse, feldspar-flecked clay with natural ash glaze; tea wares and flower vessels
Tanba Hyōgo Rustic stoneware with rich natural glazes
Bizen Okayama Unglazed stoneware marked by fire and ash

Porcelain centres

  • Arita and Imari. Saga. Japan's first porcelain, including Kakiemon and Nabeshima.
  • Kutani. Ishikawa. Bold enamel colours and Meiji red-and-gold export wares.
  • Hasami. Nagasaki. Everyday porcelain, now known for clean modern tableware.
  • Kyoto. Kyō-yaki, including Kiyomizu ware, refined painted porcelain and pottery.

Tea ceremony centres

  • Raku. Kyoto. Hand-built, low-fired tea bowls of the Raku family.
  • Hagi. Yamaguchi. Soft glazes that change with use.
  • Karatsu. Saga. Painted and speckled stoneware.
  • Mino. Gifu. Shino, Oribe, Ki-Seto and Setoguro.
  • Iga. Mie. Dramatic, heavily fired flower vessels and water jars.
  • Ōhi. Ishikawa. Amber-glazed Raku-style wares.

Folk pottery and other centres

  • Mashiko. Tochigi. Associated with Hamada Shōji and the folk craft movement.
  • Onta. Ōita. Folk pottery made with wooden water-powered clay crushers.
  • Tsuboya. Okinawa. Bold, colourful Ryūkyū pottery.
  • Banko. Mie. Clay teapots and cooking pots.
  • Satsuma. Kagoshima. Crackled ivory earthenware painted in gold and enamels for export.
  • Kasama. Ibaraki. A lively centre of modern studio pottery.

Related references

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