Traditional Crafts

Agano WareCeramics

Agano ware started out in 1602, when ceramicists from the Kingdom of Joseon in Korea, came to Japan at the invitation of the daimyo of Kokura Domain. A kiln was then opened in Agano, an area rich in porcelain clay, clear streams and pine trees for fuel. From then on, it was treasured as a kiln for the Kokura Domain, and is one of the kilns at which the famous Edo period (17th - 19th centuries) tea ceremony master Kobori Enshu had a tea bowl fired. Today, over 20 kilns have inherited the diverse skills born from this long tradition, and the ceramicists here continue to hone their skills in an attempt to further master the unique beauty and refinement of Agano ware.

Charms of Agano ware

Agano ware is lighter and thinner than other ceramics, giving it a refined sense of beauty. Agano ware possesses a weight and feel neither overly heavy nor too light, making for tableware that feels comfortable in the hand and which is truly a pleasure to use. It is also characterized by a variety of glazing, such as the distinctive pattern created by pouring copper blue glaze over pottery.

Refinement stemming from materials

The essence of Agano ware's beauty lies in its clay. Clay which has had its impurities removed is steeped in water to remove the lye. The clay is then wrapped in cloth to dry out for a long period of time, after which it is left for several months in a warehouse. Clay, which is a living organism, is transformed into the perfect state for firing thanks to the effects of time and the dedication of the potters. In particular, clay that can withstand the kinds of high temperatures that will melt even glaze is required to create thin pottery. Early Agano ware mainly used an ash glaze derived from straw or pampas grass, but today's glaze contains a compound of copper and iron. Despite the use of the same materials and glaze, subtle differences in the firing temperature and amount of air in the kiln imbue each work with its own unique features and expressions. This is what gives Agano ware its distinctive depth and beauty.