Chahai Japan 5918

Tea pottery from Tokoname.
ø 8.6 cm x height 8.9 cm, 230 ml

Tokoname – town of pottery
Tokoname was well-known as a pottery town already at the end of the 12th century. It is one of six historic pottery towns in Japan, which also include: Bizen, Shigaraki, Tamba, Seto, and Echizen. They are known as "The Six Ancient Kilns of Japan".
Tokoname kilns were allegedly the biggest and largest of them. The town of Tokoname took advantage of the proximity to the sea and the market of entire Japan using ships. Many pieces of old Tokoname pottery were found in many places throughout Japan.
Pottery from those days can be seen in the Ceramic Art Institute. Although it was made more than 900 years ago, it is very artistic with dynamic flashing and bright natural wood-ash glaze.
Tokoname pottery has a long history and tradition, going 900 years back. Redware was discovered in the early 18th century. It developed along with the production of teaware like teapots and cups for green tea. With the manufacture of ceramic pipes, bowls, and jars, the town of Tokoname prospered. In the 19th century, mass production was introduced, with production systems and improved kilns.
Nowadays, a wide range of ceramics from construction tiles and sanitary ware to tableware, vases, and art pottery is manufactured. Some manufacturers and pottery workshops function even today, but their number decreased, compared to the times of their greatest prosperity.