Otani Ware (Otani-yaki) is pottery fired in Otani, Ōasa-chō, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, with a history of more than 230 years. It is said to have begun in 1780 (An'ei 9), in the late Edo period, when Bun'emon, a pottery craftsman from Bungo Province (present-day Oita Prefecture) who came on the Shikoku pilgrimage, demonstrated his wheel-throwing skills in Otani Village. It developed on the strength of demand for the large indigo vats (aigame) used in indigo dyeing. Large pieces are made with 'ne-rokuro' (the lying-down wheel technique), in which one person lies down and turns the wheel with their feet while another shapes the clay. Made from iron-rich clay, it is characterized by a rough texture and a faint, metal-like sheen. It was designated a national Traditional Craft in 2003 (Heisei 15). Today, besides water jars and water-lily bowls, everyday items such as teacups and plates are also made. Kilns are dotted around the Otani district, and the Otani-yaki Kiln Festival is held every November.
Origin
In 1780 (An'ei 9), Bun'emon, a pottery craftsman from Bungo Province, visited Otani Village on the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage and demonstrated his wheel-throwing skills. His firing of pottery with red clay from Kanigatani is said to be the beginning of Otani Ware. Pottery was rare in Awa at the time, and word of it reached even the domain lord, Hachisuka Haruaki. The following year, 1781 (Tenmei 1), a domain kiln was built in Otani Village, and underglaze-blue porcelain (sometsuke) was fired for the first time in Awa.
History
Because the domain kiln brought in its raw materials from Kyushu, it was unprofitable and was abolished within a few years. Afterward, the indigo merchant Kaya Bungoro invited Chuzo, a potter from Shigaraki, and a climbing kiln for a private (non-domain) kiln is said to have been built in 1784 (Tenmei 4). This private kiln is said to be the origin of today's Otani Ware. It prospered by producing indigo vats as Awa indigo (Awa-ai) flourished, and later large pieces such as water jars were also made. Sources differ by a few years on when the domain kiln was abolished and on how the kiln came to be built.
Features
Its raw material is iron-rich clay, which gives it a simple, rough texture and a faint, metal-like sheen. Otani Ware is known for large pieces such as indigo vats and water jars, and ne-rokuro is a technique that was born for that purpose. Pieces are fired in large climbing kilns built on mountain slopes. In recent years, everyday items such as tea bowls, teacups and plates, as well as vessels with contemporary designs and works of art, are also being made.
Techniques
Ne-rokuro (Lying-Down Wheel)
A two-person forming technique for making large jars. One person lies on their side and turns the wheel with their feet, while the other does the shaping. The name comes from the craftsman lying down when making large jars. It is known as a technique unique to Otani Ware.
Climbing Kiln (Noborigama)
A kiln whose firing chambers are linked in steps up a mountain slope; large climbing kilns for firing large pieces still remain today. The climbing kiln at 森陶器 (Mori Toki) is said to be one of the largest in Japan and is a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
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Artisans & Workshops
矢野陶苑
A kiln in Otani, Ōasa-chō, Naruto City (鳴門市大麻町大谷字久原71), introduced as having a 130-year history. A climbing kiln that is still in use stands on its grounds. Besides traditional Otani Ware, it also makes vessels with contemporary designs. It produces yakishime (unglazed, high-fired) vases, sake flasks (tokkuri) and more.
森陶器
A kiln in Otani, Ōasa-chō, Naruto City (鳴門市大麻町大谷字井利ノ肩24). It makes everything from large pottery to art crafts and everyday wares, and relates that it was recommended as 'the best in Japan' by Kawai Kanjiro. Its climbing kiln, one of the largest in Japan, is a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property, and visitors can also hear the sound of a suikinkutsu (water harp).
Official site →元山窯（田村陶芸展示館）
A kiln in Otani, Ōasa-chō, Naruto City (鳴門市大麻町大谷字中通3-1). The 田村 (Tamura) family took over the 納田 kiln of 納田平次兵衛, who opened the first private kiln of Otani Ware, and renamed it 元山窯. The tenth generation, 田村栄一郎, is a Certified Traditional Craftsperson (dento kogeishi) of Otani Ware and was selected as an 'Awa no Meiko' (Master Craftsman of Awa) in 2024. A climbing kiln from the bakumatsu (late Edo) period remains.
Official site →大西陶器
A kiln in Otani, Ōasa-chō, Naruto City (鳴門市大麻町大谷字東山谷17-2). It makes Otani Ware vessels and holds pottery experiences and classes in hand-building, electric-wheel throwing and painting.
Official site →How to Buy
- Direct sales at the kilns
- Each kiln in the Otani district has a space for displaying and selling its work. At 森陶器, single-flower vases are listed at around 1,650 yen and coffee cups from around 3,300 yen. Hours are 8:30 to 17:00 (9:30 to 16:30 on Sundays), with irregular closing days.Where to buy →PR
- Otani-yaki Kiln Festival
- A festival held every year on the second Saturday and Sunday of November, with the kilns and 東林院 (Torin-in temple) serving as venues. Otani Ware is sold at about 20 to 30 percent below the usual price. Inquiries: 大谷焼陶業協会 (Otani-yaki Pottery Association, within the Ōasa-chō Chamber of Commerce and Industry; 088-689-0204).
Hands-on Experiences
大西陶器 陶芸体験
徳島県鳴門市大麻町大谷字東山谷17-2
In the hand-building experience you make one piece from 800 g of clay for 2,640 yen (tax included). In the electric-wheel experience you make three pieces, two of which are fired, for 3,630 yen (tax included). The painting experience costs 1,540 yen (tax included). Finished pieces take about one to two months. Reservations are accepted via the application form or by phone.
View details →森陶器 絵付け体験
徳島県鳴門市大麻町大谷字井利ノ肩24
Visitors can tour the workshop, and painting experiences are offered from around 1,100 yen. The workshop is closed on Sundays, and the shop closes irregularly. To be sure, check the experience details and reception hours with the kiln before visiting.
View details →FAQ
Q. Why is Otani Ware known for large jars?
A. In Edo-period Tokushima, Awa indigo production was thriving, and many large indigo vats were needed to hold the indigo dye liquid. Otani Ware developed in response to this demand, and the ne-rokuro technique and large climbing kilns for making large pieces have been passed down to this day.