[Ohi Ware]
One kind of Raku ware pottery.
The history of Ohi ware had began in 1666 when a potter Chozaemon HAJI moved to Kanazawa from Kyoto to follow a tea master Soshitsu SEN who was invited by Tsunanori MAEDA, the load of the Kaga domain. He established a kiln in Ohi-cho in Kanazawa and created tea utensils which were designed by Soshitsu SEN with clay from Mt. Kasuda in suburb of Kanazawa.
The quality of Ohi ware is quite similar to Rakuyaki and uses orange yellow glazes, light yellow glazes or light green glazes on white glazes. They has been creating such as incense containers, Matcha tea bowls and ornaments for tea rooms and they has been favored by tea masters.
[Chouzaemon OHI]
Ohiyaki potter in Kanazawa. The name “Chouzaemon Ohi” has been succeeded from the first generation in Edo period.
-The First Generation: Chouzaemon OHI (1631-1712)
 He was born in Kawachi ( present Osaka). His original name was Chozaemon Haji. He moved to Kyoto and started to learn Rakuyaki pottery under the fourth generation master of Rakuyaki, Ichinyu Raku. In 1966, he moved to domain of Kaga (present Kanazawa) to follow the fourth generation master of Urasenke, Sen Sousitsu who was invited to be the tea magistrate by Maeda Toshitsune, the load of the Kaga domain. He started to create Ohiyaki pottery there. When Sen Sousitsu went back to Kyoto, he beg the load of the Kaga domain to allow his to stay in Kaga, and his wish was accepted. Then he built his pottery studio in Ohi village (present Ohi-chi, Kanazawa) and established Ohiyaki method. Their family name “Ohi” originated from the name of this village.
Amber Glaze and use of the local Ohi clay have been handed down to later generations as tradition.
He died in 1712 at the age of 82.
The Second Generation: Chouzaemon OHI (1686-1747)
The son of the first generation. He was born in Kanazawa. He was influenced by his father so much but there are quite a few works remain now because he did not sign his works.
He died in 1747 at the age of 62.
The Third Generation (1728-1802)
The son of the second generation. His childhood name was Kanbei. His specialty was making tea bowls with spiral design and tube-like styling. He used both a thin and thicker amber glaze. He died in 1802, at the age of 75.
The Fourth Generation (1758-1839)
He was a extremely talented potter same as the first generation. Created with great technique and skills, his works were grace and unique. He used not only the traditional Ohi amber grace, but also
grace in many colors. He died at the age of 82, in 1839.
The Fifth Generation (1799-1856)
The son of the fourth generation. At the same time of the fourth’s retirement, he seemed to succeed the fifth generation in 1824. He was also talented and skillful potter, he was called as the originator of restoration of Ohiyaki. Not only tea utensils, he also made tableware such bottles, bowls and dishes. He often used black graze in addition to the traditional Ohi amber grace. Also he contributed to develop Japanese tea culture in Kanazawa.
Died in 1856 at the age of 58.
The Sixth Generation (1829-1856)
The oldest son of the fifth generation.His childhood name was Sakutarou.
Following his father, he created everyday tableware and copies when he received order.
In 1856, he passed away at the age of 28, it was 4 month later after his father’s death.
The Seventh Generation (1834-94)
The third son of the fifth generation and the younger brother of the sixth generation. He lived in the era from Edo period to the beginning of Meiji period, they had to give up to carry their family business temporally because they lost support from the Kaga domain (the domain system was abrogated in the end of Edo period). It may be because of its hard time, his works ware small and dark.
The Eighth Generation (1834-1894)
His real name was Rikichi Nara, and he was a pupil and cousin of the sixth generation. Because both sons of the sixth generation didn’t succeed his father, he succeeded the Ohi name after the sixth generation. He made many tea utensils with traditional methods. In 1894, he was given the name “ Igensai” from the 13th generation master of Urasenke. Died in 1927 at the age of 77.
The Ninth Generation (1901-1986)
The oldest son of the eighth generation master. He succeeded his faher’s name in 1927, and he was known as skillful craftsman same as the fifth generation who was called as the originator of restoration.
He received several prizes in the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. He got the prize of the Cultural Award of Tea Ceremony by Urasenke, and received the honorific title as “Toudosai” by Sen Sousitsu, the 15th generation master of Urasenke in 1977. He died in 1986 at the age of 84.
-The Tenth Generation (1927-)
The oldest son of the ninth generation. After his graduation from Tokyo Art Achool (present Tokyo University of Arts) in 1927, he succeeded the tenth generation master in 1987. He made several tea bowls to offer to the Imperial family, and also to contributed to Ise-Jingu shrine, Yakushiji temple, Eiheiji temple and Toudaiji temple. He received several magnificent prizes such as the Cultural Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004, the title of honorary citizen of Kanazawa City in 2005, and the Order of Culture in 2011. He became the vice-president of Kanazawa Gakuin University and an adviser of Nitten Exhibition in 2008.
He wrote many books and he is the only living potter who received the Order of Culture.