[Akita Prefecture] Mysterious blue luster is attractive! Daisen City’s traditional craft “Naraoka ware”

When you think of pottery, what names come to mind? When you think of representative Japanese pottery, you might think of Seto ware, Arita ware, Kutani ware, and so on. All of these are certainly famous pottery, with some pieces apparently priced at over several million yen. In addition to these, there are other pottery styles that represent each region in Japan. The history and climate of each prefecture are embodied in the materials and manufacturing methods of pottery

Of course, Akita Prefecture also has its own unique pottery, and one such product Naraoka ware .

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What is Naraoka ware? Its history

Naraoka ware is a type of pottery that originated in Minami-Naraoka (present-day Daisen City, Akita Prefecture)

Naraoka has been a place where a lot of clay has been collected since ancient times. However, the quality of the clay itself was poor, and it would deform when fired and crack easily when dried, making it very difficult to use. After much trial and error, Naraoka ware was created about 140 years ago. It is the oldest pottery in Akita Prefecture

Although we live in an age where materials from all over the world can be easily obtained via the internet, Naraoka ware is still made using local clay

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Characterized by a mysterious blue light

The most distinctive feature of Naraoka ware is the blue luster that shines on the surface. The glaze used in Naraoka ware is mainly made from a substance called white clay. By using white clay in this glaze, the pottery is given a mysterious blue color that is rare throughout Japan

There is a lake called Lake Tazawa in Akita Prefecture. This lake is also famous for its mysterious blue water. There are also other lakes with blue water in the Shirakami Mountains, which straddle Akita and Aomori prefectures

Akita Prefecture is also a humid and rainy prefecture. Perhaps because of this, the forests and mountains sometimes appear bluish. Blue is truly the color that symbolizes the water and mountains of Akita Prefecture

If you look closely at the surface, you will see that it is not a solid blue, but has subtle shades of blue. When light hits it, it shimmers like lake water

This Naraoka ware plate is shaped like a butterbur. Butterbur is also a plant that represents Akita. Akita butterbur, which grows particularly in areas north of Kanto, can grow as large as 2 meters. If you snap it, it will become an umbrella. Butterbur grows everywhere in the mountains and farm roads of Akita. It is an essential ingredient in Akita cuisine

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Pottery experience in a kiln is also available

There is only one kiln in Akita Prefecture that continues to produce Naraoka ware

You can experience pottery making at this kiln by making a reservation in advance. Why not try making a rare blue piece of pottery with your own hands? It's sure to become a great memory of your trip

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lastly

We introduced Naraoka ware, which is characterized by its mysterious blue color

What's interesting about pottery is that the shade of color varies from piece to piece depending on the shade of the glaze and the firing method. The base is dark brown with a blue sheen on top, giving it a very elegant feel. It is available in various souvenir shops throughout Akita Prefecture

This item is hard to find outside of Akita, so if you're in the area, be sure to pick one up. When you do, hold it up to the light and you'll be captivated by its mysterious blue

Akita Naraoka ware <Information>

• Name: Akita Naraoka ware
• Address: 344-1 Minamigato Nashikida, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture 019-1846
• Phone number: 0187-73-1018
• URL: http://www.naraokayaki.com/

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