Discovering the Artistry of Touetsugama

See this cup set here.

Touetsugama is a 350+ year old kiln run by 14th generation master ceramics craftsman Kenichi Imamura in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture.

The Imamura family began making pottery in the current Mikawachiyama, Sasebo City, with Koseki and his family who came to Japan at the invitation of Prince Matsuura when he played the role of Hideyoshi Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the third year of Keicho (1598). In the 18th year of Kan'ei (1641), Sannosuke II was appointed as a lord and deputy officer of the Hirado Domain, and Yajibei III was named "Nyosaru" by Prince Matsuura because he was dexterous like a monkey.

In 1664, Hirado was supplied by research on white porcelain production using Amakusa pottery stone and white porcelain production presented by the Shogunate. Shoemon 4th, Zenemon 5th, Riemon 6th, Katsuji 7th, Ritaro Yatsushiro, Kotaro 9th continued as a kiln, and with the abolition of the kiln by the abolition of the feudal clan, Toshisaku 10th, 11th Fusataro Yatsushiro started trading in the Netherlands and developed new products such as coffee bowls while preserving traditional techniques. In 1963, the 12th generation Kao moved the kiln to Arita-cho to expand the kiln, and produced mainly tea utensils. Hiroshi 13th generation exhibited at the Nitten, Contemporary Crafts Frankfurt, British Museum, etc.  Currently, Kenichi Imamura is the 14th generation master craftsman at Touestugama.