Matsushiro Ware is pottery that has been fired mainly in the Matsushiro area of Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. It flourished in the late Edo period with the encouragement of the Matsushiro Domain, ruled by the Sanada clan, and practical vessels indispensable to daily life, such as water jars, kneading bowls and sake bottles (tokkuri), were made. Its distinctive feature is a blue-green glaze that flows over a dark brown body made from local iron-rich clay, creating patterns that differ from piece to piece. This blue-green comes not from pigments but from glazes blended from white clay, copper and other materials obtained locally. From the Meiji period onward it declined, overwhelmed by inexpensive pottery brought in by rail, and it had died out by the beginning of the Showa period. Later, in the mid-Showa period, potters carried out repeated research based on old potsherds and documents and revived the techniques. In 2014 it became a Traditional Craft Designated by the Governor of Nagano Prefecture. Today, at places such as 松代陶苑 (Matsushiro Toen) in Matsushiro Town, visitors can experience making Matsushiro Ware through pottery workshops.
Origin
Matsushiro Ware is said to have begun around the start of the Kansei era (the late 18th century), when the potter 嘉平次, who had trained in Karatsu, opened a kiln and fired jars (kame) for indigo dyeing. Until then, pottery could only be brought in from outside the domain, and transporting heavy vessels was not easy. The Matsushiro Domain therefore aimed to produce everyday pottery from local materials. In Bunka 13 (1816), it encouraged the production of Matsushiro Ware as a domain kiln.
History
The domain invited potters from Kyoto, Shigaraki and Tokoname, and kilns such as 寺尾焼, 天王山焼, 荒神町焼 and 代官町焼 were born. The techniques spread throughout the Hokushin region, and there are said to have been nearly 20 kilns in the Matsushiro Ware lineage. However, from the Meiji period onward, overwhelmed by inexpensive pottery such as Imari ware and Seto-yaki, all the kilns had disappeared by the early Showa period. In the mid-Showa period, local potters revived the techniques through repeated research, and in 2014 it became a Traditional Craft Designated by the Governor of Nagano Prefecture.
Features
Local clay rich in iron is used for the body, and when bisque-fired it becomes dark brown. The glaze is based on white clay from the Koichi district of Nagano City, blended with wood ash and straw ash, and the white clay produces a bluish color. In 'nijugake' (double glazing), a glaze containing copper is then poured over it with a ladle (hishaku), bringing out a deep blue-green luster and flowing patterns. Another appeal is that many of the vessels are simple and sturdy.
Techniques
Nijugake (Double Glazing)
A technique in which a bisque-fired vessel is dipped in a glaze based on white clay, and then a glaze containing copper is poured over it with a ladle to create patterns. Where the glazes overlap, the vivid blue-green unique to Matsushiro Ware appears. Because the color does not develop if the firing temperature is low, the pieces are fired at a high temperature.
Local Materials
Since the days of domain rule, the materials have been gathered from various places within the Matsushiro domain: the glaze from Koichi in Amori, the slip from 立石 in Matsushiro, and the body clay from refractory clay in Shinonoi. Using local materials for both the clay and the glaze is what determines the color and texture of Matsushiro Ware.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Clay Preparation
Local clay is dug, refined and kneaded.
- 2
Forming
Vessels are shaped on a potter's wheel or by other methods.
- 3
Drying
To prevent cracking, the pieces are dried slowly over several days in a muro (drying room) or similar place.
- 4
Bisque Firing
The pieces are fired once at about 800 to 850°C.
- 5
Glazing
After the pieces are dipped in glaze, a glaze containing copper is poured over them with a ladle.
- 6
Main Firing
The pieces are fired at a high temperature of about 1200°C, cooled and then taken out of the kiln.
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Artisans & Workshops
松代陶苑（松井窯）
A Matsushiro Ware kiln in 清野, Matsushiro Town, Nagano City. It was founded in 1965 after about 10 years of research. Besides making and selling vessels, it holds pottery classes and pottery workshops. It is about 20 minutes by car from Nagano Station and has a parking lot for large buses.
Official site →唐木田窯
A Matsushiro Ware kiln in 山布施, Shinonoi, Nagano City. In 1964 a small kiln was built in Matsushiro Town and research was carried out, and in 1972 a climbing kiln (noborigama) was built and full-scale pottery making began. Today the second generation, 唐木田伊三男, works on new pieces named '青釉' (blue glaze) in addition to traditional Matsushiro Ware.
Official site →How to Buy
- 松代陶苑 Shop
- The shop attached to the kiln sells products unique to the kiln and works by artists. Matsushiro Ware vessels can also be used in microwave ovens and dishwashers. Open from 9:30 to 17:30, closed on Sundays and Mondays (irregular holidays).Where to buy →PR
- TABITOTE STORE
- An online store themed on travel and handcrafts. It handles Matsushiro Ware teacups, mugs and other items from 唐木田窯 (Karakida Kiln), and teacups can be purchased from about 2,200 yen.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
松代陶苑
長野県長野市松代町清野2120
A reservation-only facility at a Matsushiro Ware kiln where you can try pottery making. Reception is from 9:30 to 15:00. The pieces you make go through drying, bisque firing, glazing and main firing, and take about 40 days to be completed. Same-day reservations cost extra, so booking in advance is recommended.
View details →FAQ
Q. Has the name 'Matsushiro Ware' existed since long ago?
A. In the Edo period there was no name 'Matsushiro Ware'; the pieces were called by the names of their individual kilns, such as 寺尾焼 and 天王山焼. After all the kilns had died out, the Kyoto potter 内島北郎 is said to have named them collectively 'Matsushiro Ware' in the course of research.
Q. How was Matsushiro Ware revived after it died out?
A. 唐木田又三, who was a junior high school art teacher, repeatedly made reproductions in a test kiln based on old documents from long-established families in Matsushiro, literature in the National Diet Library and accounts from former potters, and succeeded after more than 10 years. Around the same time, 松代陶苑 (Matsushiro Toen) was also founded after about 10 years of research.
Q. Can Matsushiro Ware be used every day?
A. It is pottery that began as practical items for ordinary people, and many of the vessels are sturdy. According to the kiln 松代陶苑 (Matsushiro Toen), Matsushiro Ware can be used in microwave ovens and dishwashers. However, use over an open flame or in an oven is not recommended.