Mushiake ware (Mushiake-yaki)

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Mushiake-yaki is a tea ceramic fired in Mushiake, Oku-cho, Setouchi City, said to originate from a private kiln (oniwa-gama) established in Mushiake in the mid-Edo period by the Igi clan, chief retainers of the Okayama domain. Whereas Bizen-yaki, another representative ware of the same prefecture, is characterized by its unglazed, fired-to-hardness technique, Mushiake-yaki is known for its thinly potted, refined glazed forms and elegant designs reminiscent of Kyoto styles, and the two have followed distinct lineages within the same prefecture. In 1847, in the late Edo period, Igi Tadazumi (also known by his art name Sanenzai) opened his own private kiln and invited leading potters of the day from Kyoto, such as Seifu Yohei, Raku Chozo, and Miyagawa Kozan, establishing a thin, elegant style reminiscent of the Awata style of Kyoto ceramics. Today, using a distinctive clay made from local mountain soil, artisans apply a clear glaze made from natural pine ash, along with iron and copper glazes, and fire the pieces without sharply separating oxidation and reduction, producing kiln transformations that add to their character. Designated a Local Traditional Craft of Okayama Prefecture in 1988, a small number of kilns continue to carry on the tradition today in the scenic seaside area of Mushiake facing the Seto Inland Sea.