1,000 years of pottery history in Seto, creating masterpieces in a rich environment
Mountains covered in lush green forest. Crystal clear streams. The only place you can find such high-quality clay. Seto ware was born in this rich environment. For over a thousand years, many artisans have honed their skills here, responding to the changing times by connecting their long history of craftsmanship to the present.
Our kiln has been nurtured by the climate of Seto. While maintaining our ancestors’ traditional knowledge, we strive to create masterpieces that connect Seto ware to the tastes of the future.
The spirit of Seto ware artisans is to create whatever is possible with ceramics. The first glazes in Japan started in Seto as a creative accident by curious craftsmen. By the end of the Edo era, Seto artisans had begun using the Sometsuke technique, drawing delicate patterns in Gosu blue pigment. Seto Sometsuke thrived in the Meiji and Taishō eras. At our kiln, we follow the traditional skills of Seto ware craftsmen, while allowing for flexible creativity to learn and grow each day.
In 1979, Syunji Hayashi, the first generation, opened Tsubakigama, or ‘Camellia Kiln’, at the base of Jokoji mountain. He was skilled at the delicate process of Seto Sometsuke by copper plate transfer. In 2012, Eiji Hayashi, the second generation, inherited the kiln. Eiji learned to sculpt in school and gained skills and sensibilities studying pottery in Kyoto. In addition to the original style of Tsubakigama, he is striving to create new Seto ware.
椿窯を育んだ「瀬戸」の風土 The Seto environment that nurtured Tsubakigama
Custom orders available for restaurants, cafes, and bars
All of our designs can be customized, and we can also make original designs from scratch to suit your unique needs. We have experience creating dishes for all types of cuisine, such as Japanese and Italian. Please feel free to contact us for further information.