Nanzan yaki. It has taken me years to find the origin of my vase! Following little breadcrumbs here and there led me to the discovery.
Nanzan Yaki was founded by Koike Torajiro of Tsuyama city, Okayama Prefecture. It has some similarities to Bizen ware. Some references say the kiln was abolished around 1945, others 1949/1950, so this is probably why very little is available on the internet.
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| The writing inside the pot design reads Nanzan Yaki Right to left is written Yanagiyama or Ryuusan Zo |
Google translation of the history of Nanzan Yaki ( names may be incorrect as Google translate especially has difficulty with Japanese names).
There are various theories about the opening of the Nanzan-yaki kiln, and it is said to be during the Tenpo era or the 9th year of the Meiji era. The founder is Mr. Torajiro Koike of Tsuyama. At first, I called a potter from Kyoto and mainly baked tea pottery. At that time, it was loved because its firing was elegant. After that, mass-produced daily miscellaneous goods continued for a long time, but the kiln was abolished around 1945. The kiln at the time of the abandoned kiln was Mr. Torajiro Koike (grandson of the founder), and the potters were Mr. Yanagisen Fukugo and his younger brother Futetsu Fukugo.
Apparently after the kiln closed a disciple of Torajiro, Fukugo Tooru moved and established Sesshu Yaki in Shimane Prefecture! (See post on Sesshu Yaki)
