Uchiharano-yaki is pottery made in Uchiharano, Aki City, in eastern Kochi Prefecture. It is said to have begun around 1829 (Bunsei 12). Goto Kazue, the lord of Aki Castle, took note of the area's high-quality clay and invited potters from Kyoto so that local people could learn pottery making. It is characterized by a warm, rustic feel created by glazes made from wood ash and straw ash. At first, production centered on everyday tools such as water jars, suribachi (mortars) and tokkuri (sake flasks). Demand declined from the early Showa era onward and the craft fell into decline, but in the Showa 40s, Nagasaki Taro, a native of Aki City, brought in graduates of an art university in Kyoto, and the revival moved forward. Today, in addition to plates, tea utensils and sake vessels, highly artistic works are also made. Aki City is said to have four kilns, including 陽和工房 and 原峰窯. At 内原野陶芸館, visitors can try tebineri (hand-building) and painting. It has also been selected as one of Kochi City's 'Tosa Handmade Crafts' (Tosa no Tezukuri Kogeihin).
Origin
It is said to have begun around 1829, when Goto Kazue, the lord of Aki Castle, learned that good-quality clay could be obtained at Uchiharano and invited potters from Kyoto to teach pottery making. It is described as having also been aimed at developing local industry. The Goto family were chief retainers (karo) of the Yamauchi family of the Tosa domain, and are also said to have built the nearby Benten Pond (Uchiharano Pond) to develop new rice fields.
History
At its peak there were about six kilns, which made everyday items such as water jars, chozubachi (water basins for washing hands), suribachi and tokkuri, distributed mainly within the region. Until the early Showa era, large pieces were fired in noborigama (climbing kilns), but demand fell as lifestyles changed. In the Showa 30s and 40s, pots for Tosa kanran (an orchid) became the main product. From 1965 to 1969, Nagasaki Taro, the first president of Kyoto Municipal College of Fine Arts (now Kyoto City University of Arts), invited three of its graduates with the aim of reviving the craft.
Features
Glazes made from wood ash and straw ash are used, giving a warm, rustic finish. At 陽和工房, straw ash left over from searing over a straw fire to make Katsuo no Tataki is also put to use in glazes. When pieces are fired in a climbing kiln, distinctive colors and patterns appear where ash has fallen on them. Today gas and electric kilns are mainstream, and commercially available clay is now widely used in place of Uchiharano clay.
Techniques
Ash glaze (kaiyu)
A technique of firing with a glaze made from wood ash or straw ash. It produces the subtle impurities unique to natural materials and a cloudy, whitish coloring. 陽和工房 is said to use a range of glazes such as 'Unohana,' 'Shiracha' and 'Gunjo' (ultramarine).
Materials Used
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Artisans & Workshops
陽和工房
A workshop opened in 1979 when 西邨滋, one of the Kyoto Municipal College of Fine Arts graduates invited to revive the craft, became independent. Today his son, 西邨出, has succeeded him as the second generation, making vessels mainly to order. 出 has been selected many times for the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition and became a full member of the Japan Kogei Association in 2011.
Official site →内原野焼 原峰窯
A kiln in Inokuchi, Aki City, also named as one of the Uchiharano-yaki kilns in Kochi City's guide. The nearest stop is the Uchiharano Koen (Uchiharano Park) bus stop, about 15 minutes by bus from Aki Station on the Gomen-Nahari Line. The listed contact number is 0887-35-3269.
Official site →How to Buy
- 内原野陶芸館 and kilns
- Aki City's guide says that Uchiharano-yaki can be purchased casually at 内原野陶芸館. There are four kilns north of the pottery hall, where tours and hands-on experiences are also possible, but advance contact is said to be required.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
内原野陶芸館
高知県安芸市川北乙1607-1
With instruction, visitors can make pottery by hand-building or on the potter's wheel; the painting experience is listed from 1,000 yen and hand-building from 2,500 yen. Finished works are delivered about a month and a half after firing. Open 9:00–17:00 (pottery-making reception until 15:00), closed Wednesdays, free admission.
View details →FAQ
Q. Can the Uchiharano-yaki climbing kiln still be seen today?
A. A multi-chamber climbing kiln of Uchiharano-yaki remains in Uchiharano Park and is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) of Japan. It is said to have been built between 1830 and 1867, and is reportedly no longer used for firing.