Iwami-yaki is a general term for pottery that has been fired in the Iwami region, centered on Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture. Full-scale pottery making began in the mid-18th century and developed by adopting techniques from potters of Suo (Yamaguchi Prefecture) and Bizen (Okayama Prefecture). Because it uses clay from the local Tsunozu Formation and is fired at high temperatures of around 1,250 to 1,300 degrees Celsius, the body becomes hard and absorbs little water. Being resistant to salt and acid, it was valued throughout Japan for water jars and for large jars for storing pickles and umeboshi (pickled plums). Its representative product is a large water jar called 'hando' (or 'handou'), and in the late Edo period these jars were carried to various regions by kitamaebune trading ships. Iwami-yaki reached its peak in the Meiji era, and the number of kilns is said to have exceeded 100. It declined with the development of water supply systems and the spread of plastic containers, but today mortars, umbrella stands, tableware and more are also made. In 1994 (Heisei 6), it was designated a Traditional Craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (a national Traditional Craft).
Origin
Regarding the beginnings of pottery in the Iwami region, there is a legend that it derives from 李郎子, a Korean potter brought back to Japan at the time of the Bunroku and Keicho campaigns (the Japanese invasions of Korea). Full-scale pottery making in Gotsu is said to have begun in the mid-18th century. It is said that techniques for small items such as katakuchi (lipped bowls) and tokkuri (sake bottles) were passed on by 入江六郎, a potter invited from the Iwakuni domain of Suo Province, and techniques for large items such as water jars by potters from Bizen Province in the Tenmei era (1780s). Some materials give the year of introduction as around 1763, and others as 1765.
History
In the late Edo period, hando were shipped throughout Japan by kitamaebune and became familiar as 'Iwami no hando' (the hando of Iwami). In the Meiji era, water jars became a necessity in every household, and Iwami-yaki reached its peak. Large, highly water-resistant jars were sought from all over Japan, and the number of kilns is said to have easily exceeded 100. From the Showa 30s onward, demand fell with the development of water supply systems and the spread of synthetic resin containers, and the number of kilns dropped sharply. The kilns then found new paths in smaller jars for storing pickles and miso and in mingei (folk craft) pottery, and in 1994 Iwami-yaki was designated a national Traditional Craft.
Features
The clay of Iwami-yaki is a dense, acid-resistant, hard clay that withstands firing at high temperatures. The finished vessels are sturdy and are characterized by their resistance to acid, salt and water. For glazes, natural materials are used, such as Kimachi glaze made from Kimachi stone quarried in the Izumo region, and Yunotsu stone. Kimachi glaze turns a deep brown, while Yunotsu stone, which contains alkali, gives a translucent, bluish color. Besides large hando, large ceramics such as umbrella stands, water-lily pots and garden table sets are also made.
Techniques
Shino-zukuri (coil building)
A traditional Iwami-yaki technique for forming large ceramics such as large hando. Thick coils of clay are stacked in circles on the potter's wheel and smoothed by turning the wheel. When they are half-dry, the next coil is stacked, and this process is repeated. Skilled technique is needed to finish the piece seamlessly while allowing for the shrinkage of the clay.
Kimachi glaze
A glaze made from Kimachi stone quarried in the Izumo region. When fired, it turns a deep brown, which has become the representative color of Iwami-yaki. The same clay and glaze are also used for Sekishu roof tiles (Sekishu-gawara), and in the past Iwami-yaki and Sekishu roof tiles were often fired in the same climbing kiln (noborigama).
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Digging, refining and kneading the raw clay
Local clay is dug up, impurities are removed, and the clay is kneaded thoroughly.
- 2
Forming
Pieces are shaped on the potter's wheel. Large pieces are formed by shino-zukuri, stacking coils of clay.
- 3
Finishing
The shape is adjusted and details are finished.
- 4
Glazing
Glazes such as Kimachi glaze are applied.
- 5
Drying
Pieces are dried thoroughly in preparation for firing.
- 6
Firing
Pieces are fired at high temperatures of around 1,250 to 1,300 degrees Celsius. Some kilns still fire in climbing kilns.
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Artisans & Workshops
石州嶋田窯
A kiln in 後地町, Gotsu City, opened in 1935 (Showa 10). Shimane's tourism site しまね観光ナビ introduces it as making products with the traditional technique of shino-zukuri and as the only Iwami-yaki kiln that still uses a climbing kiln. A climbing kiln festival is held every May, when visitors can watch the kiln being unloaded.
Official site →石州宮内窯
A kiln in 二宮町, Gotsu City. It was opened in 1970 by the first-generation potter 宮内謙一, who grew up at 嶋田窯 and gained experience at several kilns. From 1985 the eldest son, 宮内孝史, joined the family business and carries on the kiln as the second generation. Making use of skills developed in making large pieces, it makes lidded jars, water-lily pots, umbrella stands and more.
Official site →元重製陶所
A specialist manufacturer of suribachi (Japanese grinding bowls) in 嘉久志町, Gotsu City. Founded as an Iwami-yaki kiln in 1925 (Taisho 14), it switched to specializing in suribachi in 1987. While forming and glazing have been mechanized, the company insists on doing mekaki, the cutting of the grooves, by hand. A prefectural public-relations magazine introduced it as producing about 250,000 pieces a year.
Official site →雪舟窯
A kiln in 旭町丸原, Hamada City. Deeply devoted to Sesshu, known for ink painting, it aims to express Sesshu's spirit in ceramics. It makes unglazed yakishime beer cups, mugs, coffee cups and saucers, rice bowls and more, and also offers pottery experiences on its official website.
Official site →How to Buy
- Online store of 石州宮内窯
- 宮内窯 offers lidded jars, water-lily pots, umbrella stands, mugs and more through the online store on its official website. Some items are out of stock, so it is a good idea to check with the kiln about stock and orders.Where to buy →PR
- Suribachi from 元重製陶所
- Shimane Prefecture's public-relations magazine reports that suribachi from 元重製陶所 account for more than half of the share at major home improvement stores nationwide. The official website lists its products, including suribachi and large-grain ceramic graters.Where to buy →PR
- 石見陶器工業協同組合
- The Iwami-yaki production-area cooperative at 1315 後地町, Gotsu City (tel. 0855-57-0155). It is listed as a manufacturer on Shimane Prefecture's page introducing traditional crafts and serves as a point of contact for questions about kilns and products.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
石州宮内窯 陶芸体験
島根県江津市二宮町神主2211-3
Under the guidance of a certified traditional craftsperson, you can try hand-building and the electric potter's wheel. The fee is 2,200 yen per person (tax included), and reservations by phone are required. You make items such as teacups and rice bowls, which, after drying and firing, can be received by mail or collected at the kiln about one to one and a half months later.
View details →FAQ
Q. What is a 'hando'?
A. It is the large water jar representative of Iwami-yaki, also called 'handou', and sometimes written 飯銅. Before running water became widespread, it was used in every household to store water for daily life, and it was mass-produced extensively in the Meiji era. It was carried all over Japan by kitamaebune and became known as 'Iwami no hando'.
Q. Is the Kimachi stone used for Kimachi glaze the same as the stone of Izumo stone lanterns?
A. Yes, it is the same Kimachi stone. Kimachi stone is a sandstone quarried around the Kimachi district of Shinji Town, Matsue City, and is known as the material for Izumo Ishidoro (Izumo stone lanterns). Iwami-yaki uses Kimachi glaze made from this stone, which fires to a deep brown.