Category Archives: Japanese Pottery & Porcelain

Ogawa Washi, one of Japanese paper !

Posted on by

20131109久保製紙直販所Ogawa Washi (Japanese paper) is one of the famed hand-made Japanese paper in Japan. Ogawa town, a center of production enjoy a clean stream and a good paper mulberry for Washi making. The origin of Ogawa Washi go back 1,300years ago when many naturalized Koreans introduced a technique of hand-made paper making in the area. During the Edo era, Ogawa town became major area of washi supply to Edo (Old Tokyo).
There are many paper crafts by using Ogawa Washi. We are using this Ogawa Washi for wrapping wooden boxes of sake cups. The photo is an exhibition hall of Ogawa washi.

Other Mike’s Site Links
* Online Sake Cup Shop
* Amazon Store
* Twitter

Historical Village of Shirakawa-go in Hida

Posted on by

shirakawagox1000
Sirakawa-Go (literally “White River District”) is one of Japan World Heritage Sites. The area is very popular among foreign tourists as well as Japanese ones because of its tender atmosphere with the old-fashioned houses. The houses are known as Gassho-zukuri, “prayer-hands construction” style which used to be typical style at the snowy area in Japan.
In general, the region including Sirakawa-Go is called Hida Takayama where many craftworks and historical heritage are well-known. Koito-Yaki and Shibukusa-Yaki are typical examples for pottery making.

Other Mike’s Site Links
* Online Sake Cup Shop
* Amazon Store
* Twitter

Kumamoto-Jo, one of the famed castles in Japan

Posted on by

Kumamoto-jo02x640

There are many beautiful castles all over Japan. Kumamoto-jo (castle) is one of them and listed as one of the three major castles in Japan. Others are Himeji-jo (Hyogo) and Matsumoto-jo (Mtasumoto). Main castle tower (right) is 3-storied appearance-wise and 6-storied inside with beautiful “Chidorihafu” roofs. The center is Sub-castle tower and the left is Udo-yagura (turret) which was regarded as the previous main castle tower.

In this area, there are traditional Shodai-Yaki and Kouda-Yaki, which started in the mid-17th century by many Agano-Yaki potters led by the lord, Tadatoshi Hoskawa when he was transferred from current Fukuoka Prefecture.

Other Mike’s Sites
* Online Sake Cup Shop : http://sakeware.net
* Twitter : http://twitter.com/CeramicsJapan

Traditional Japanese sword making area, Osafune, Okayama

Posted on by

togix640

Inbe town of Okayama Prefecture is well-known as a Bizen-Yaki producing center,which is one of the Six old Kilns in Japan. Within easy driving distance, thereis a traditional Japanese sword making area, called Osafune. Since the area havebeen producing high-quality iron sand for steel and red pine tree for charcoal
making. Osafune sword has been designated as one of the five traditional swordmaking areas. To complete a Japanese sword making, many specialists likeswordsmiths, metalwoekers, scrabbard makers and the like are involved. In thephoto, a sword polisher sharpen and polish a sword.

Other Mike’s Sites
* Online Sake Cup Shop : http://sakeware.net
* Twitter : http://twitter.com/CeramicsJapan

Tableware Festival in Tokyo

Posted on by

tablewareFestivalx640
The Tableware Festival 2013 is held from February 4, 2013 to February 11, 2013 at the Tokyo Dome. The big baseball field is full of many vendors’ booths and “table setting” display. Almost all visitors are female. There are many familiar potters show and sell their interesting pottery including sake cups.
This festival is one of opportunities to meet them. The photos are of “Table Setting display” (top) and “Oribe Square” (bottom).

Other Mike’s Sites
* Online Sake Cup Shop : http://sakeware.net
* Twitter : http://twitter.com/CeramicsJapan

Kourakuen Garden in Okayama

Posted on by

Kourakuen
Okayama Korakuen Garden is one of the most famous garden in Japan. The garden is of the Kaiyu (scenic promenade) style with a total area 133,000 square meters. The initial one was completed by a Japanese feudal lord in 1700. Visitors can enjoy a grand scenery with Okayama Castle all the year around.
Bizen-Yaki is a famous unglazed pottery in this area.

Other Mike’s Sites
* Online Sake Cup Shop : http://sakeware.net
* Twitter : http://twitter.com/CeramicsJapan

What a beautiful tinted-leaves in KYoto

Posted on by



It is the best season for tourists to visit Kyoto. We can enjoy the beautiful tinted-leaves together with traditional heritages at various spots in Kyoto. One of such spots is Tofuku-ji Temple which is a famous Zen temple. In the precincts, there is a famous bridge, called as “Tsuten-kyo(bridge)”, connecting major inside temples. The view from the bridge is extremely amazing with beautifully tinted-leaves.
There is another interesting area making Kyo-Yaki pottery nearby. About 30 potters are gathered together to make their own unique Kyo-Yaki. They held a pottery festival for the tourists in this season. So, we can enjoy the tinted-leaves and Kyo-Yaki together.
What a wonderful season!

Other Mike’s Sites
* Online Sake Cup Shop : http://sakeware.net
* Twitter : http://twitter.com/CeramicsJapan

Time for Potttery Festivals all over Japan

Posted on by


Spring and fall are time for Japanese people to enjoy and buy a wide variety of traditional ceramics. Many pottery and porcelain producing areas will hold festivals with their fascinating products at a discount. These are occasion for us to meet new potters and artists and interesting their works efficiently
The picture is of the festival of Echizen-Yaki , one of the government recognized craftworks..

Other Mike’s Sites
* Online Sake Cup Shop : http://sakeware.net
* Twitter : http://twitter.com/CeramicsJapan

The Five-story pagoda, “Yasaka no To” in Kyoto

Posted on by


Here is the five-story pagoda, known as Yasaka Pagoda, one of landmarks in Kyoto. The official name is Honkan-ji Temple which was founded in Muromachi period (1440). There are famous temples and spots nearby, visited by many sightseers. Together with small shops and Japanese-style bars, the scenery with the pagoda gives us nostalgic feeling.
Kyo-Yaki, pottery and porcelain with overglazed enamel decoration is produced here. Their wide variety of products outnumbers that of other areas.

Other Mike’s Sites
* Online Sake Cup Shop : http://sakeware.net
* Twitter : http://twitter.com/CeramicsJapan

Ancient bronze swords and bells

Posted on by

At “Izumo” area, a large number of bronze swords (358 pcs) were found, which were placed orderly at one spot. Each sword is approx. 50cm (20 in.) long. And Dotaku, Bronze bells smelted from relatively thin bronze and richly decorated, were found nearby. It is said that these remains were used to pray for good harvests in a Yayoi period.
These remains are exhibited in the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo next to Izumo Grand Shrine.
In this area, Shimane Prefecture, many potters are making traditional pottery such as Iwami-Yaki, Fujina-Yaki, Setsushu-Yaki and so on.

Other Mike’s Sites
* Online Sake Cup Shop : http://sakeware.net
* Twitter : http://twitter.com/CeramicsJapan