Aizu Hongo Ware: A Pottery from Aizu Loved by Many for 400 Years (Fukushima Prefecture)

Aizu Hongo ware is a type of pottery with a 400-year history, produced in Hongo, Aizu Misato Town, near Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

Its distinctive feature is that both pottery and porcelain are fired here, and this is due to the production of high-quality pottery clay and porcelain stone known as Okubo pottery stone in the surrounding area

There are 12 Aizu Hongo ware kilns (as of 2022), and each brewery uses their ingenuity to create a wide variety of unique pieces, from everyday pottery to luxurious white, slightly translucent porcelain. Pottery-making experiences with the kilns are also popular

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It began when feudal lords invited tile craftsmen to the end of the Sengoku period

Aizu Hongo ware has a long history, said to have begun about 400 years ago when Gamo Ujisato, the feudal lord of Aizu-Wakamatsu at the time, invited craftsmen from Harima Province (Hyogo Prefecture) to make roof tiles for the castle renovations. This was in 1593, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (the Warring States period). At that time, pottery such as tableware was not yet being produced

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Ceramic production began in earnest during the Edo period

It wasn't until the Edo period that practical pottery such as dishes, plates, and tea bowls began to be made, when Hoshina Masayuki (grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu), the lord of Aizu, invited potter Mizuno Genzaemon (who is often said to have been from Seto (Owari Province, Aichi Prefecture)) from Mino Province (southern Gifu Prefecture) in 1645. Genzaemon opened a kiln in 1647 and began making pottery. For this reason, Mizuno Genzaemon is known as the "founder of Aizu Hongo ware."

In the mid-Edo period (1800s), pottery stone (Okubo pottery stone), the raw material for porcelain, was discovered in Hongo, and porcelain production began. The Aizu clan sent a potter named Sato Iemon to Arita (Arita Town, Saga Prefecture, famous for Arita ware) to learn the techniques of porcelain production. When Iemon returned after mastering the difficult techniques, the clan built a climbing kiln, and porcelain production began in Hongo. Sato Iemon is known as the "Potter of Aizu Hongo Ware."

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The annual Toso Festival held at Jyoshoji Temple

The memorial tablets and busts of "Pottery Master" Mizuno Genzaemon, "Pottery Master" Sato Iemon, and Iemon's disciple Teshirogi Kouemon, who perfected white porcelain (porcelain with a white base), are enshrined in the Pottery Master's Shrine at Joshiji Temple in Hongo. The shrine also enshrines over 20 people who have made distinguished contributions to pottery, and is opened once a year on September 16th for the "Pottery Master's Festival."

Joushoji Temple (Toso Festival) <Information>

• Facility name: Joushoji Temple (Toso Festival)
• Address: 3110 Hongokami, Aizumisato-machi, Onuma-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0256-56-3007 (Aizu Hongo Pottery Business Association)

Google Map

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Aizu Hongo ware has survived many crises, including wars, fires, and earthquakes

Aizu Hongo ware is said to be the oldest pottery in the Tohoku region, and is the only porcelain production area north of the Kanto region. During the Edo period, the area was bustling with many kilns lining the streets

However, Aizu-Wakamatsu was devastated by the new government forces during the Boshin War (1868-1869) that broke out at the end of the Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji era. Hongo, which is close to Aizu-Wakamatsu, also suffered heavy damage, and the very survival of Aizu-Hongo ware was in jeopardy

A major turning point came in 1890. At the 3rd Domestic Industrial Exposition held in Ueno, Tokyo that year, more than half of the works awarded with the Progress Award were by Aizu Hongo ware artisans, and the name "Aizu Hongo ware" became widely known. From then on, as its reputation grew, exports to overseas countries also flourished, and at one point there were more than 100 kilns

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The production of insulators that saved Aizu Hongo ware remains a major industry in Aizu Misato Town today

However, in 1916, a major fire struck Hongo. Most of the kilns were destroyed, and recovery progressed very slowly, with the area enduring a period of patience until the end of World War II (1939-1945). Post-war recovery was by no means quick, but the catalyst for the revival of Aizu Hongo ware was the production of insulators, porcelain insulating devices. Insulators were essential for restoring electricity to burnt-out cities such as Tokyo and Yokohama. There were only a limited number of porcelain-producing areas capable of producing insulators, and Hongo received large orders

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The historic climbing kiln that was destroyed in the Great East Japan Earthquake has been revived

The oldest kiln for Aizu Hongo ware is Munakata Kiln. It dates back to 767, when a priest from Munakata Taisha Shrine (Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture) moved to Hongo to preach and founded Munakata Shrine. About 950 years later, in 1719, the first priest, who was still a priest, began making pottery while still in his position, and 100 years later he became a specialist in pottery making. The climbing kiln, which had been in use since the Edo period, was destroyed in the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, but was restored to its original state in 2013. The climbing kiln is a designated cultural asset of Aizu Misato Town

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Aizu Hongo Seto Market: A traditional Japanese market on Setomachi Street that retains the charm of the past

The Aizu Hongo Seto Market, held once a year on the first Sunday of August, sees around 100 stalls selling pottery, mainly Aizu Hongo ware, line Setomachi Street, where many kilns are located. The market opens at around 4am, and even before it's dark, people with flashlights in hand gather in search of bargains, filling the streets that still retain their old-fashioned charm, making it a typical summer sight in Aizu Hongo. *The 2022 event has been cancelled due to the effects of COVID-19. Please inquire regarding 2023 and beyond

Aizu Hongo Seto City <Information>

• Name: Aizu Hongo Seto City
• Address: Around Setomachi Street, Aizumisato Town, Fukushima Prefecture
• For inquiries, please contact: Aizu Hongo Pottery Business Cooperative Association
• Phone number: 0242-56-3007

Google Map

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Make your own unique ceramics with Aizu Hongo ware

At Aizu Hongo Ware, you can experience pottery making at 8 of the 12 potteries. The types of experiences available vary depending on the pottery, such as painting, hand-forming, and wheel-throwing, and the fees also vary slightly. Also, the materials used vary depending on the pottery, whether pottery or porcelain, so please contact the Aizu Hongo Ware Business Cooperative Association for more information

The Aizu Hongo ware experience is also available as a return gift for "Hometown Tax Donation."

Aizu Hongo ware pottery experience

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• Inquiries: Aizu Hongo Pottery Business Cooperative Association
• Phone number: 0242-56-3007
• URL: Aizu Hongo Pottery Business Cooperative Association Aizu Hongo Pottery Business Cooperative Association

・List of Aizu Hongo ware kilns

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Tobo Irori Pottery

• Address: 1868-1 Kawaramachi, Aizumisato-machi
• Phone number: 0242-56-5707
• Pottery experience: available (porcelain)
• URL: Satoshi Tobo

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Kinootokobo (Sound of Trees Workshop)

• Address: 3272-1 Setomachi, Aizumisato-machi
• Phone number: 0242-56-5098
• Pottery experience: Yes (pottery)
• URL: Kinone Studio

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Soshun Kiln Studio So

• Address: 3175 Setomachi, Aizumisato-machi
• Phone number: 0242-56-3732
• Pottery experience: available (porcelain)
• Instagram: Soshuru Kiln Kobo Sou

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Suigetsu Kiln

• Address: 3174 Setomachi, Aizumisato-machi
• Phone number: 0242-56-3103
• Pottery experience: available (porcelain)
• URL: Suigetsu Kiln

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Kanzan Kiln

• Address: 2195 Matsubara Saiko, Aizumisato Town
• Phone number: 0242-56-2178
• Pottery experience: Yes (pottery)

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Tomizo Kiln

• Address: 176 Shinmachi, Aizumisato-machi
• Phone number: 0242-56-3033
• Pottery experience: available (porcelain)
• URL: Tomisogama

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Toga Toraku

• Address: 3180 Setomachi, Aizumisato-machi
• Inquiries: 0242-56-5115
• Pottery experience: Yes (pottery)
• URL: Touga Toraku

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Ryumon yaki (Flowing pattern ware)

• Address: 1933 Kawaramachi Ko, Aizumisato Town
• Phone number: 0242-56-2221
• Pottery experience: available (porcelain)
• URL: Ryumonyaki

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Hozan Kiln

• Address: 253 Shinmachi, Aizumisato-machi
• Phone number: 0242-56-2851
• Pottery experience: None

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Mayumi Munakata

• Address: 1773-17 Kitako, Kawaramachi, Aizumisato Town
• Phone number: 0242-56-2380
• Pottery experience: None
• URL: Mayumi Munakata

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Munakata Kiln

• Address: 3115 Kamiko Hongo, Aizumisato-machi
• Phone number: 0242-56-2174
• Pottery experience: None
• URL: Munakata Kiln

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Kayano Kiln

• Address: 1099 Kawaramachi, Aizumisato Town
• Pottery experience: None

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