Hirashimizu-yaki is pottery and porcelain fired in the village of Hirashimizu, on the southern foot of Mt. Chitose in the southeast of Yamagata City. Because its raw material is pottery stone rich in iron taken from Mt. Chitose, it is also known as 'Chitose-yaki.' Its founder is said to be the potter Ono Tojihei, who came from Hitachi Province during the Bunka era (1804-1818) of the late Edo period. In the following Bunsei era, a potter from the Soma domain opened a kiln here and brought the techniques of Soma-yaki, helping the area grow into a major pottery-producing community. At its peak in the mid-Meiji era, more than 30 kilns lined the village, but today only a handful remain, including Seiryu-gama and Shichiemon-gama. It is a rare production area where clay suitable for both pottery and porcelain can be found, and each kiln has its own distinctive glazes and techniques. Distinctive pieces are produced here, including 'Nashi-seiji,' with its blue-white speckles created by iron sulfide in the raw clay of Mt. Chitose, and 'Zansetsu,' featuring black speckles floating on a pure white glaze.
Origin
Hirashimizu-yaki is pottery and porcelain fired in the village of Hirashimizu, on the southern foot of Mt. Chitose in the southeast of Yamagata City. It is said to have begun when the potter Ono Tojihei, who came from Hitachi Province, opened a kiln using clay from Mt. Chitose during the Bunka era (1804-1818) of the late Edo period. A tradition also holds that the Heian-era monk Ennin (posthumously known as Jikaku Daishi) taught local people how to use the clay of this area, and the foot of Mt. Chitose has long been known as a place with deep ties to pottery-making.
History
During the Bunsei era (1818-1829), the potter Abe Kakuzaemon of the Soma domain visited the area and opened a kiln, spreading the techniques of Soma-yaki and helping the settlement develop into a pottery-producing community. At its peak in the mid-Meiji era, more than 30 kilns lined the village, thriving as one of Yamagata's leading pottery-producing areas, but the scale gradually shrank over time, and today only a handful of kilns, including Seiryu-gama and Shichiemon-gama, carry on the tradition.
Features
A major characteristic is that both pottery and porcelain have been made using iron-rich pottery stone (Maruyama toseki) taken from Mt. Chitose. Seiryu-gama's signature piece, 'Nashi-seiji,' is made with a technique in which iron sulfide in the clay vaporizes during reduction firing, producing blue-white speckles resembling the skin of a pear; it was exhibited at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair and received high acclaim. Each kiln has its own glazes and style, offering a wide variety of expressions to enjoy.
Materials Used
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Artisans & Workshops
青龍窯
A kiln in Hirashimizu, Yamagata City. It was founded in the Meiji era by Niwa Jonosuke, and its signature works include 'Nashi-seiji,' with blue-white speckles created by iron in the raw clay of Mt. Chitose, and 'Zansetsu,' featuring black speckles on a pure white glaze. It was also exhibited at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair.
Official site →七右エ門窯
A folk-craft pottery kiln in Hirashimizu, Yamagata City. It offers pottery-making and painting experiences year-round, and is popular as a workshop that people of all ages, from children to seniors, can easily join.
Official site →平吉窯
A kiln in Hirashimizu, Yamagata City. It specializes in 'Nade-seiji,' made with a milky-white glaze, and is known for creating tableware with a soft, gentle texture.
天沢窯
A kiln in Hirashimizu, Yamagata City. It specializes in pale-toned glazes known as 'Hakui' and 'Hakusa,' supporting the diversity of Hirashimizu-yaki with its own distinctive style.
How to Buy
- Noren Kagurazaka (online store)
- The online shop of a select store in Tokyo that carries Hirashimizu-yaki from Seiryu-gama. Everyday tableware can be purchased from anywhere in Japan, including 'Zansetsu' teacups starting at around 1,980 yen.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
七右エ門窯
山形県山形市平清水153
Pottery-making experiences cost around 1,290 to 2,580 yen (taking 1-2 hours), and painting experiences start at around 1,080 yen (taking 30 minutes to 1 hour). Reservations are required, and participants of all ages, from babies to seniors, can take part.
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