Rihei Ware (Rihei-yaki) is pottery fired in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. It is regarded as the oniwa-yaki (ware from a lord's garden kiln) of the Takamatsu domain, having begun in 1647 (Shoho 4) when Matsudaira Yorishige, the first lord of the Takamatsu domain, invited Morishima Sakubei, a potter from Awataguchi in Kyoto. The lord gave Sakubei the name 'Kita Rihei' (紀太理兵衛), and the kiln was passed down through the generations along with the Rihei name. In the Edo period, besides Rihei-yaki (理兵衛焼), it was also called Takamatsu-yaki and Ohayashi-yaki (御林焼). After the abolition of the domain, the name was changed to 'Rihei' (理平), and since the Meiji period it has continued making tea ceramics as a private (non-domain) kiln. Its hallmarks are refined forms influenced by Nonomura Ninsei, who perfected Kyo ware (Kyo-yaki), and elegant painted decoration. The kiln stands in front of the North Gate of Ritsurin Garden and is said to have continued without interruption since its founding. In 2026, it was reported that the 14th generation, Kita Yoko (紀太洋子), and Shingo, the candidate to become the 15th generation, are in charge of making the pottery.
Origin
Rihei Ware is said to have begun when Matsudaira Yorishige, the first lord of the Takamatsu domain, invited Morishima Sakubei, who ran a pottery business in Awataguchi, Kyoto, in 1647 (Shoho 4). Yorishige spent his youth in Saga, Kyoto, and is said to have had Sakubei make vessels for him from that time. Sakubei is said to have learned his techniques from Nonomura Ninsei at Awataguchi, and he was also called 'the Ninsei of Takamatsu' (Takamatsu Ninsei).
History
In 1649 (Keian 2), Sakubei was given a residence and a kiln north of Ritsurin-so (present-day Ritsurin Garden) and is said to have changed his name to 'Kita Rihei' (紀太理兵衛). Thereafter, the Kita family took the name Rihei generation after generation and fired tea ceramics and other wares as official potters to the Takamatsu domain. After the Takamatsu domain was abolished, the name was changed to 'Rihei' (理平), and after the Meiji Restoration, while making a fresh start as a private kiln, the family has maintained its commitment to making tea ceramics. It is also said to have close ties with the Mushakoji Senke school of tea.
Features
Belonging to the lineage of Kyo ware, it is characterized by refined forms influenced by Nonomura Ninsei and elegant painted decoration. Rather than bringing over the splendor of Kyoto as it is, it is said to pursue a 'beauty of restraint', toning down decoration to suit the atmosphere of Sanuki. There are vessels painted in overglaze enamels (iro-e) with scenes of the Seto Inland Sea, and a wisteria-colored (fuji-iro) surface that arises from the properties of the clay is also said to be a distinctive feature. Besides tea utensils, sake vessels such as guinomi cups are also made.
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Artisans & Workshops
理平焼 窯元（紀太家）
The Rihei Ware kiln, located in front of the North Gate of Ritsurin Garden. According to a 2026 announcement, the 14th generation, Kita Yoko (紀太洋子), and Shingo (信吾), the candidate to become the 15th generation, are in charge of making the pottery. Shingo handles forming as well as glaze mixing and firing, while Yoko handles the hand-painted decoration. Yoko is said to have relearned painting in Kyoto after the sudden death of the previous head.
How to Buy
- ワイヤードビーンズ 'A Mug for a Lifetime' (生涯を添い遂げるマグ)
- A series of mugs made together with kilns across Japan; in July 2026, Rihei Ware's 'Wave Painting' (波の絵) design was added. The price is 16,500 yen per mug (tax included). Yoko paints the decoration over a glaze mixed by Shingo.Where to buy →PR
FAQ
Q. Are 理兵衛焼 (Rihei-yaki) and 理平焼 (Rihei-yaki) different wares?
A. They are wares from the same kiln. In the Edo period it was called 理兵衛焼 because it was fired by Kita Rihei (紀太理兵衛), and it was also known as Takamatsu-yaki and Ohayashi-yaki. After the abolition of the Takamatsu domain, the name was changed to 'Rihei' (理平), and today it is made under the name Rihei Ware (理平焼).
Q. What kind of family is the Kita family?
A. According to a record of the family's lineage (yuishogaki) handed down in the Kita family, the founder of its pottery is said to be 森嶋半弥重芳, a potter of Shigaraki. He was Sakubei's father and is said to have originally been a samurai in the service of Toyotomi Hideyori who fled to Shigaraki after the Osaka campaigns and became a potter. Since then, the Kita family has served as potters for generations.
Q. What is oniwa-yaki?
A. It refers to pottery made when a daimyo or other lord built a kiln within a castle or in the garden of a residence and invited potters to fire wares there. Mainly tea utensils for the lord's own use or for gifts were made. Rihei Ware began as the oniwa-yaki of the Takamatsu domain, and pottery-making continued under the protection of the domain lords.
Q. What was the Rihei Ware kiln like in the Edo period?
A. The kiln was set up north of Ritsurin-so (present-day Ritsurin Garden), and the 'Old Map of Ritsurin-so' (栗林荘古図) suggests that it was a multi-chamber climbing kiln (renbo-shiki noborigama). In the time of the fifth generation, the kiln is also said to have been moved temporarily to Tomida, Sanuki City. The kiln is still located in front of the North Gate of Ritsurin Garden today.
Q. What kinds of vessels are made at Rihei Ware?
A. It normally specializes in tea utensils and is said never to have made vessels with handles before. In 2026, as a first attempt, a mug was made into a product. Shingo, the candidate to become the 15th generation, studied the tea ceremony himself and is said to value the perspective of the people who use the wares.