Image: Wikimedia Commons
Fujina-yaki is pottery that has been fired in Tamayu Town, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. It is said to have begun in the mid-Edo period when 舩木与次兵衛村政 opened a kiln in Fujina, on the southern shore of Lake Shinji. Later, 土屋善四郎, who moved from the 楽山窯 kiln by order of the Matsue domain, provided guidance, and the quality improved. Tea utensils to the taste of Matsudaira Harusato (Fumai), the seventh lord of the Matsue domain known as a daimyo tea master, were also fired. It is renowned for vessels with overglaze painting on a yellow glaze, and in the Meiji era its sales expanded not only within Japan but also overseas. In the Showa era, it resonated with the Mingei (folk craft) movement of Yanagi Muneyoshi, Bernard Leach and others, and adopted techniques such as slipware, in which patterns are drawn with slip. Today kilns such as 舩木窯, 雲善窯 and 湯町窯 each make vessels in their own styles, and it is also designated a Shimane Prefecture Furusato Traditional Craft.
Origin
Fujina-yaki is said to have begun in the mid-Edo period when 舩木与次兵衛村政 (also written 与治兵衛) opened a kiln. There are two theories about when the kiln was opened: one places it in the Kan'en era (1748–1751) and the other in Meiwa 1 (1764). Later, by order of the Matsue domain, 土屋善四郎 moved to Fujina from the 楽山窯 kiln in Matsue. It is said that under 土屋善四郎's guidance, the quality of Fujina pottery improved greatly.
History
Matsudaira Harusato (Fumai), the seventh lord of the Matsue domain, made the 土屋 family's 雲善窯 an official kiln of the domain and had it fire tea utensils and other items. The domain kilns of the 土屋 and 永原 families, which received Fumai's guidance, and the private kilns run by descendants of the 舩木 line flourished side by side. In the Meiji era, vessels with overglaze painting on yellow glaze reached their peak, and sales expanded overseas. In the Showa era, 舩木道忠, the fourth generation of 舩木窯, and others interacted with figures such as Yanagi Muneyoshi, Hamada Shoji and Leach, and worked on making mingei vessels. This movement also influenced the pottery world within Shimane Prefecture.
Features
The representative ware of Fujina-yaki is vessels coated with a yellow glaze. Edo-period works include flower vases and haisen (bowls for rinsing sake cups) painted with flowers, plants and karakusa (arabesque scrolls) on a yellow-glazed ground, as well as jubako (tiered boxes) with red and green overglaze painting, and the influence of Kyo ware and Oribe ware can be seen in them. 舩木窯 carries on its own Fujina yellow glaze made with Kimachi stone. Since the Mingei movement, slipware vessels have also been made. An encyclopedia of regional brands also introduces Fujina as a production area of large 'botebote chawan' bowls.
Techniques
Overglaze painting on yellow glaze
A technique in which patterns of flowers, plants and karakusa are painted with red, green and other overglaze enamels on vessels coated with yellow glaze. As vessels distinctive to Fujina, they reached their peak around the Meiji era and were sold both in Japan and abroad. At today's kilns as well, the yellow glaze is carried on, each kiln with its own refinements.
Slipware
A technique in which lines and patterns are drawn on the clay body with slip (liquid clay used to coat the body) of a different color. It was adopted into Fujina-yaki in the Showa era through its connection with the Mingei movement. The bottom of 湯町窯's egg baker is also decorated with patterns made using this technique.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Shaping
Potter's clay is formed into vessels on a potter's wheel or by other means.
- 2
Bisque firing
The shaped and dried vessels are fired at a relatively low temperature.
- 3
Painting
Patterns are painted on the vessels.
- 4
Glazing
Glazes such as the yellow glaze are applied.
- 5
Main firing
The vessels are fired at a high temperature to finish.
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Artisans & Workshops
布志名焼 舩木窯
A kiln at 437 Fujina, Tamayu Town, Matsue City, that has continued since the Edo period. The fourth generation, 舩木道忠, interacted with figures of the Mingei movement such as Hamada Shoji, Bernard Leach and Yanagi Muneyoshi, and incorporated Western pottery techniques. Today the sixth generation, 舩木伸児, makes pottery while preserving the Fujina yellow glaze made with Kimachi stone.
Official site →雲善窯
A kiln at 428-8 Fujina, Tamayu Town, Matsue City. It began in the Edo period as an official kiln of the Matsue domain and has continued to make mainly tea utensils to the taste of Matsudaira Fumai. According to Shimane Prefecture materials, its representative is 土屋知久, the tenth-generation 善四郎. It was once known for overglaze painting on yellow glaze, but today vessels in subdued, wabi-style colors suited to the tea ceremony are said to be the mainstream.
Official site →湯町窯
A kiln at 965 Yumachi, Tamayu Town, Matsue City, opened in 1922 (Taisho 11). It learned from Kawai Kanjiro, Hamada Shoji and Bernard Leach, and is known for its egg baker, which was created under Leach's guidance. According to Shimane Prefecture materials, it is designated a manufacturer of Fujina-yaki together with 雲善窯.
Official site →How to Buy
- 雲善窯 shop
- In addition to expensive tea bowls, it also offers vessels suitable as souvenirs. A travel information site introduces items such as a teacup for 1,100 yen and a set of five small plates for 3,300 yen. Open from 8:30 to 17:30, closed on Mondays. About 5 minutes by car from JR Tamatsukuri-Onsen Station.Where to buy →PR
- 湯町窯 egg baker
- A standard item of 湯町窯 made since the early Showa period. It can be used over an open flame or in a microwave oven, and egg dishes can be served at the table straight from it. A 2022 article introduced two sizes, large and small, priced at around 4,500 to 5,000 yen, and it is also sold through online shops.Where to buy →PR
- 舩木窯 kiln shop
- There is a shop at the kiln on the shore of Lake Shinji. Since the pieces are not mass-produced, many are not casually affordable, but a 2019 article reported that seconds (B-grade items) were lined up at reasonable prices. It is best to call ahead (0852-62-0710) before visiting.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
布志名焼 舩木窯（窯元見学）
島根県松江市玉湯町布志名437
A kiln you can visit if you contact it in advance. It has been reported that if the head of the kiln is at home, you may be able to see the room where Bernard Leach stayed and works by the fourth and fifth generations. Reception hours are 9:00 to 17:00.
View details →FAQ
Q. What is the relationship with 楽山焼?
A. Both are kilns closely associated with the Matsue domain, and Fujina-yaki and 楽山焼 in Matsue City are considered traditional kilns representative of the Izumo region. The quality of Fujina-yaki improved under the guidance of 土屋善四郎, who moved to Fujina from the 楽山窯 kiln by order of the domain. 楽山焼 is also designated a Shimane Prefecture Furusato Traditional Craft.
Q. Are 湯町窯 vessels also Fujina-yaki?
A. 湯町窯 is located in the Yumachi district of Tamayu Town, not in the Fujina district. Even so, Shimane Prefecture designates 湯町窯 as a manufacturer of Fujina-yaki, and 大阪日本民芸館 (a folk craft museum in Osaka) also introduces it as a Fujina-yaki kiln. It is best to think of Fujina-yaki as a name that covers several kilns around Fujina.