Yamatsu - 450 years of traditional Japanese Mino ware.
Mino ware: Japan's Leading Ceramic Production Area
Ceramics have long played a role in adding color to our daily lives, especially through tableware. They are not the centerpiece, like the ingredients of a dish or the beauty of flowers, but rather, they serve as the perfect supporting cast that enhances those elements. In this region, not only the kilns but also various industries and craftsmen contribute through specialized roles in the production process.
With a history spanning 150 years, Shinzan Kiln Yamatsu Co., Ltd., a pottery company, continues to be a vital supporting player in collaboration with everyone involved in Mino ware. Through ceramics, we aim to bring happiness to homes across Japan and around the world, firing our kilns each day with this mission in mind.
Gifu Prefecture, Toki City
Mino ware refers to ceramics produced in the Tono region of Gifu Prefecture, specifically in the cities of Toki, Tajimi, and Mizunami. This area is Japan's largest production hub for ceramics, with Toki City leading the nation in production volume. From factory-made products that brighten everyday dining tables to artisanal pieces inspired by Oribe ware, a wide variety of ceramics continues to be crafted here today.
Shimoishi Town, known for its tokkuri (sake bottles)
Is home to Jinzan Kiln Yamatsu, located in Toki City. Shimoishi Town is famous for its production of tokkuri, and its landscape, with small rolling hills, is ideal for building climbing kilns. The entire town is filled with a vibrant ceramics industry, making it worthy of being called a "pottery town."
Mountain, Soil, and Water
The allure of mountains.
Toki City in Gifu Prefecture is approximately 70% covered by hilly terrain. The Tono region is surrounded by gentle hills that are not overly tall. Due to various factors, this area is rich in clay suitable for ceramics, which led to its development as a center of pottery. Toki City has benefited greatly from the surrounding mountains to the south for over 1,300 years, dating back to before the Heian period.
The allure of the earth.
The clay used for ceramics originally comes from a type of rock known as granite. It takes an immense amount of time to become clay. Over the years, the granite crumbles, exposed to wind and rain, and eventually accumulates, mixing with soil, fallen leaves, and other organic materials. In this region of Tono, such clay was formed. Captivated by this rich earth, people gathered, and the ceramic industry was born.
Clay is a material formed from the weathering of rocks, such as granite, and rivers and flowing water play a major role in gathering these materials in one place. The abundant waters of the Toki River, flowing coolly as it carves through the hills, bring relief to the pottery-producing region that faces scorching summers. This refreshing river also nourishes the artisans, sustaining their craft and spirit.
Today, we’re firing pottery once again.
In the Tono region of Gifu Prefecture, summers can be some of the hottest in Japan. But even in that intense heat, Shinzan Kiln Yamatsu keeps the kilns burning. Firing pottery is Yamatsu’s calling, and tending to every detail is part of Yamatsu’s spirit. Yamatsu always hopes that the warmth of each fired piece conveys even a hint of its heat, bringing happiness and warmth to the lives of those who use it.
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