[Takatori Ware]
One style of Japanese pottery that has been produced around Naokata city and Sawara area in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka prefecture. It has more than 400 years history and Katatori ware is one of the best kilns selected by Enshu KOBORI.
The load of Bizen domain Nagamasa KURODA took back a Korean potter Hachizan when Nagamasa joined war in Korea, then he established a kiln at the foot of Mt. Takatori(present Nogata city, Fukuoka prefecture). Then Maneiji kiln (established in 1606), Uchigasi kiln (1612) and Yamada kiln (1616) were established under the patronage of the Load Kuroda. Works made at those 3 kilns are called as “Ko(old) Takatori “.
Takatori ware flourished as official kils of the load Kuroda during Edo period then they moved to Hakkisan kiln and received guidance from Enshu KOBORI, a famous tea master, in Kanei era. Tat that time, potters made lots of Enshu favored chawan and tea utensils and they are called “Enshu Takatori”.
At a mater time, Hachiro who was the grandson of Hachizan moved the kiln in Koishihara, Asakura district and made delicate works called “Koishikawa Takatori”. Then the kiln moved to Ogaya in Fukuoka and Takatori split into Higashi Sarayaka kiln and Nishi Sarayama kiln in the 18th century.
Over rising and falling, methods and techniques of Takatori ware has been succeeded until today. Takatori ware kilns create works with 7 kinds of traditional glazes (Takamiya glaze, copper glaze, Furashi glaze, white glaze, black glaze, yellow glaze and blue green glaze) and various kinds of new glazes.