About us

History of Akahada-ware

The origins of Akahada-ware can be traced back to the time of Emperor Suinin.
The area around Gojoyama, where Akahada-ware is produced, has been known as an excellent source of high-quality porcelain clay since ancient times.
In ancient Japan, when a member of the imperial family or aristocrat passed away, their attendants and wives conventionally commit suicide along with them to mourn the dead. Emperor Suinin was shocked to see the tragic sight when his younger brother Yamatohiko-no-Mikoto died, and Emperor Suinin was deeply wished to finish this miserable custom. When Empress Hibasuhime passed away, Nomi-no-Sukune suggested to put Haniwa along the tomb, clay figures, instead of the traditional custom of committing suisides. Nomi-no-Sukune summoned 100 ceramic makers from Izumo to make Haniwa figures. This was the beginning of the history of Akahada-ware.

The current form of Akahada-ware was created in the Azuchi-Momoyama period. In 1585, Lord Hidenaga TOYOTOMI, the younger brother of Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI, ordered the production of tea utensils in Akahada.

Furthermore, Akahada-ware became famous when it became the official kiln of the Yanagisawa family, the lords of the Koriyama domain.
Due to the influence of Kien YANAGISAWA, also known as RyuRiKyo, a samurai and talented artist, Akahada-ware became well-known as one of the Seven Enshu Kilns.
The Seven Enshu Kilns are seven kilns favored by Enshu KOBORI, who inherited the mainstream of tea ceremony from Sen-no-Rikyu and Oribe FURUTA. Enshu KOBORI served as the tea ceremony instructor for the Tokugawa family.

About our atelier, OSHIO Shozan

Our atelier, OSHIO Shozan is one of six remaining Akahada-ware kilns certified by Nara Prefecture. However, our atelier is the only one that has two people, an artist and a craftsman, who are certified as Nara Prefecture Traditional Craftsmen.

We focus on creating tea ceremony utensils in accordance with the history of Akahada-ware, but in response to recent demands, we are also focusing on sake vessels that can be used in daily life. In addition, we prioritize both functionality and design to produce tea ceremony utensils that can be used not only at tea ceremonies but also at the dinner table in everyday life at home.

About Nara-e paitings

A distinctive feature of Akahada-ware is Nara-e paintings decoration. The roots of Nara-e paintings can be found in “Kako-Genzai-Ingakyo-Emaki (Past-Present-Karma-Picture Scroll)”, which depicts the life of Buddha.
Deformed figures such as dolls, temples and trees from this picture scroll and symbplic motif of Nara such as three mountains or deer, are merged and integrated into the current Nara-e picture.
At our atelier, OSHIO Shozan, we recently often paint motifs of auspicious birds that are depicted on the treasures of the Shosoin Repository, such as phoenixes, magpies, and mandarin ducks. There are many paintings of birds holding a flower in its mouth, which also has the meaning of bringing happiness from the heavenly world to earth.

About the Climbing Kiln

Our atelier, OSHIO Shozan also fire special art works in a climbing kiln, the traditional firing method. Firewood is placed in a large kiln opening called “Dougima”, and the fire is started, raising the temperature up to 1270 degrees celcius. Gradually the flames rise to the back room, and firewood is added to each room. Our climbing kiln has three rooms and firing them takes three days and three nights.
The work that is fired after such hard work changes to a deep glaze color due to the natural reduction reaction, unlike the electric kiln.
Although this firing method is being abolished or reduced in size all over Japan, we continue to cherish and pass on this traditional firing method.