Echizen Ware: Ancient Pottery with Beautiful Natural Glaze, One of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns

Japan's Six Ancient Kilns: Echizen Ware

Echizen Ware is traditional ceramics made centered on Echizen City, Fukui, said to have begun in the late Heian to early Kamakura period (around 12th century). It is a prestigious pottery counted as one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns of "Echizen, Seto, Tokoname, Shigaraki, Tamba, and Bizen."

Simple Beauty of Natural Glaze

Echizen Ware's characteristic feature is "natural glaze" where kiln ash melts and naturally adheres in the kiln without applied glaze. The accidental hues born from the kiln environment including green, brown, and gray create Echizen Ware's unique charm.

Echizen Ceramic Arts Village and Experiences

"Echizen Tougei-mura" (Echizen Ceramic Arts Village) in Echizen City is a complex ceramic facility with many ceramic workshops gathered. Pottery experiences, exhibitions, sales, and dining are enjoyable, with various pottery experiences available including electric potter's wheel, hand-building, and painting.