What is Koishiwara ware?
It is said that in 1669, about 350 years ago, Sadamasa Hachinojo discovered pottery clay in the Sarayama district of Koishiwara Village in Fukuoka Prefecture and opened a kiln. Later, in 1682, the Kuroda clan invited potters from Imari, Hizen, and along with Hachinojo, porcelain began to be made following the Chinese method. At that time, Koishiwara ware was called Nakano ware, but it declined once. Around 1729, it was revived by interacting with Takatori ware, and began to make pottery from porcelain. In the 18th century, the magistrate of Hita invited Sanemon Yanase, a Koishiwarayaki potter, to Ontada to pass on his pottery techniques.
Before the war, Muneyoshi Yanagi praised Ontayaki in the Mingei movement, and Koishiwarayaki, the origin of Ontayaki, also came to attract attention. In 1958, it won the Grand Prix at the World's Fair in Brussels, Belgium. It was highly evaluated as a pottery with "use and beauty". It is now one of the popular Japanese folk art pottery.
Features of Koishiwarayaki
The solid and thick construction is decorated with hand-made craftsmanship such as ``flying plane'', finger painting, and brush marks. Beauty coexists in simplicity, and the depth of taste of handwork is attractive.
Stroll through the tranquil woodlands. Walk slowly and stop by.
The town of Koishiwarayaki is about an hour's drive from Fukuoka. Toho Village, which is close to Oita Prefecture, has a somewhat nostalgic scenery such as beautiful mountains and terraced rice fields in the bamboo district. There are 50 kilns in Toho village that follow the flow of Koishiwara ware and Takatori ware. Each pottery has its own store space, so it's fun to find your favorite.
Karausu is a pulverizer used in ancient times to finely grind soil and glaze using the principle of leverage, using the flow of water.
Koishiwarayaki Tradition Industry Center You can learn about the history of Koishiwarayaki and how to make it.
There was also a climbing kiln. The structure is described in detail.
oh! It sounds interesting. It seems that you can also experience pottery. Great impact.
A signboard at the entrance. Unintentionally, hehehe. I don't hate this kind of thing.
The “Mintomura Festival” held around the Koishihara district of Toho Village is a pottery festival held in spring (May) and autumn (October). If you visit during the festival, the atmosphere will be different and it will be fun!
Mintomura Festival Steering Committee (inside the Toho Village Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
TEL: 0946-74-2121
Well, let me introduce Mr. Okina Pottery, who will be handling at our store!
A store in Toho village. It is a fashionable shop with a modern Japanese style. 
Wonderful works are lined up in a space where the warmth of wood is comfortable, such as a single board table and large beams. 
There is a workshop and production space next door.
The pottery is produced in the rich and beautiful nature of the pottery town.
Okimei Kiln was established in 1980 by Okimei Onimaru, who was born in Koishiwara Village (currently Toho Village). Inheriting the traditional techniques of Koishiwarayaki, he was certified as a traditional craftsman in 2003, and works every day with his son Naoyuki . After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts, where he graduated from the Department of Crafts and Graduate School of Fine Arts, Naoyuki started making pottery at Oumei Pottery in 2009. Both of them have received countless awards, and their creations combine sublime beauty and ease of use, creating truly ``use and beauty'' vessels.
The soil uses high-quality soil from Koishiwara. The glaze is made from a unique blend of natural ingredients such as straw, wood ash, and feldspar. One of the attractions is that there is no same baked color, and it changes from time to time.
The shape is molded with a potter's wheel. The beauty of the delicate flying plane gives a gentle impression.
A small dot pattern is carefully made with white makeup clay. Very cute, isn't it?
Inheriting the goodness of tradition and creating something that fits modern life and leaving it to future generations. It is made with the thought that it will be a presence that gently snuggles up to your daily life.
Click here for a list of works handled by Okina Kamamoto
