Tanba Pottery Keiichi Shimizu

What is Tanba-yaki?

Tanba-yaki is believed to have originated in the late Heian period (794ー1185),and is counted as one of the six oldest kilns in Japan,along with Seto,Tokoname,Shigaraki,Bizen,and Echizen. "Ana-gama"( hole kilns) were used through the Momoyama period (1573-1603),and"Nobori-gama"( inclined kilns) were introduced in 1611,along with kick wheels (using a counter-clockwise rotation unique to the Tanba region and rarely seenin nationwide),contributing to the development of the production region. Originally,its main products were vases,pots,and mortars,
but in the early Edo period (1603-1867),many notable tea ceremony pieces were created under the direction of Kobori Enshu,including tea containers,fresh water containers,and tea bowls.In the later Edo period,prominent studios such as Naosaku,Ichifusa,Kayu,and Ichikono competed with each other under the protection and care of the Sasayama Domain,raising the profile of Tanba-yaki.Now,approximately 800 years since the region's beginning,ceramic hasbeen produced for everyday life with a warmth and quiet dignity continue to be produced here.