Kosunago-yaki is pottery fired in Kosunago, Nakagawa Town, Nasu District, Tochigi Prefecture. Tradition holds that it began around 1830 (Tenpo 1), in the late Edo period, when Tokugawa Nariaki, lord of the Mito Domain, discovered high-quality clay in the area and had it used as raw material for the domain's official pottery works. The area became established as a production center when the potter known as first-generation Hanpei (Saito Eizaburo), who had come from Etchu Toyama, was invited by the Fujita family, village headmen of Kosunago, from Shitori Village (present-day Nasukarasuyama City) to build a climbing kiln there. Its representative features are a golden-hued 'kinkessho' (gold crystal) glaze and a softly pink-tinted 'shinsha' (cinnabar) glaze; because the local Kosunago clay is rich in kaolin, it produces ware with a distinctive character combining qualities of both pottery and porcelain. Today, kilns in the area such as Fujita Seitosho and Ichikawa Gama continue to carry on the tradition, and in 2013 the Kosunago district became the first area in Tochigi Prefecture to join the 'Most Beautiful Villages in Japan' association.
Origin
The origin of Kosunago-yaki is said to date to around 1830 (Tenpo 1), in the late Edo period, when Tokugawa Nariaki, lord of the Mito Domain, discovered high-quality clay in this area and had it used as raw material for the domain's official pottery works. The potter known as first-generation Hanpei (real name Saito Eizaburo), who had come from Etchu Toyama, was originally working in Shitori Village (present-day Nasukarasuyama City), but was invited by the Fujita family, headmen of Kosunago Village, to build a climbing kiln there - marking the beginning of Kosunago-yaki as a production center.
History
First-generation Hanpei is said to have later formed a father-son bond with the Fujita family, changed his name, and taken over the land and kiln. Since then, the Fujita family has carried on Kosunago-yaki as hereditary kiln owners for generations, and the current sixth-generation head, Fujita Shinichi, continues to preserve the kiln today. In 2015, a memorial stone was erected at the site of Hanpei's climbing kiln. In the modern era, kilns beyond the Fujita family, such as Ichikawa Gama, have joined, and research into technique and glazes continues across the community.
Features
Kosunago-yaki is characterized by a golden-hued 'kinkessho' (gold crystal) glaze and a softly pink-tinted 'shinsha' (cinnabar) glaze. Vessels with kinkessho glaze, which appears as gold crystals scattered within a black glaze, are especially popular for their combination of rustic simplicity and elegance. Because Kosunago clay is rich in kaolin, it fires whiter and more densely than ordinary clay, producing distinctive ware that combines the qualities of pottery with a texture close to porcelain. The Kosunago district joined the 'Most Beautiful Villages in Japan' association in 2013.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Preparing the clay
Kosunago clay, rich in kaolin, is refined and its texture made uniform.
- 2
Shaping
The vessel is shaped using a potter's wheel or hand-forming.
- 3
Bisque firing
Fired once at low temperature to stabilize the body.
- 4
Glazing
Glazes distinctive to Kosunago-yaki, such as kinkessho and shinsha, are applied.
- 5
Final firing
Fired at high temperature to bring out the glaze colors and complete the piece.
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Artisans & Workshops
藤田製陶所（藤田家）
A kiln said to have been founded in the Tenpo era, tracing its origins to the Mito Domain's official kiln. Sixth-generation head Fujita Shinichi carries on the traditional kinkessho and shinsha glazes while creating vessels suited to modern life.
Official site →市川窯
A kiln in Koguchi, Nakagawa Town. Using distinctive Kosunago-yaki glazes such as kinkessho and shinsha, it produces a wide range of works, from teacups to vases.
Official site →How to Buy
- 小砂焼 藤田製陶所
- A long-established kiln tracing its origins to the Mito Domain's official kiln. Vessels can be purchased at its direct sales shop or through its official website.Where to buy →PR
- 小砂焼 市川窯
- A kiln that makes and sells works using glazes distinctive to Kosunago-yaki, such as kinkessho and shinsha.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
小砂焼 市川窯
栃木県那須郡那珂川町小口1115
Pottery experiences start at around 1,000 yen for 500g of clay (firing fee included). Unglazed pieces for painting, such as teacups (500 yen) and plates (800 yen), are also available. Reservation required (0287-92-3113).
View details →小砂焼体験センター陶遊館
栃木県那須郡那珂川町小砂2710
A hands-on facility specializing in Kosunago-yaki, offering wheel-throwing, hand-forming, and painting experiences. Closed Mondays; reservation required (0287-93-0117).
View details →FAQ
Q. What are the representative glazes of Kosunago-yaki?
A. The golden-hued 'kinkessho' (gold crystal) glaze and the softly pink-tinted 'shinsha' (cinnabar) glaze are especially well known, prized for their combination of rustic simplicity and elegance.
Q. Why does Kosunago-yaki have qualities of both pottery and porcelain?
A. The clay mined in Kosunago is rich in kaolin, which fires whiter and denser than ordinary clay, producing distinctive ware that combines the character of pottery with a texture close to porcelain.