OBSCURE KILNS

There are many kilns throughout Japan that are unknown to many in and outside Japan. This is a working list of many lesser known kilns by prefecture, beginning in the north and working south and west. The kiln names have been gathered from many sources. For additional information on older kilns see "The World of Japanese Ceramics" by Herbert H. Sanders, "The Art of Japanese Ceramics" by Tsugio Mikami and "The Japanese Pottery Handbook" by Penny Simpson. Included in this list are old kilns that may no longer exist, local kilns that have long histories and newer kilns that have risen up in the last century. 

AOMORI

Hirosaki

Akudo

IWATE

Kokuji

Kuji 

AKITA

Naraoka

YAMAGATA

Shinjo

Hirashimizu

MIYAGI

Kirikobe

Tsutsumi

FUKUSHIMA

Tatenoshita

Aizu

NIIGATA

Aikawa

Sado/Mumyoi

TOCHIGI

Maganoshima

MIKAMO

TOKYO

Edo Banko

Kenzan Iriya

Korakuen

Sumidagawa

Edo Kikko

Toyama

SHIZUOKA

Shidoro

TOYAMA

Etchu Seto

Kosugi

ISHIKAWA

Ohi

Kasugayama

FUKUI

Hisaka

Oda

AICHI

GIFU

MIE

Akogi

KYOTO

Asahi 

Tango

 

SHIGA

Koshu

Rakurakuen

Shimoda

Takahara

Zeze

OSAKA

Kosobe

Takahara

Nanba

Kikko

NARA

Akahada

WAKAYAMA

Kairakuen

Otokoyama

HYOGO

Higashiyama

Mita

Sanda

TOTTORI

Kazuwa

Ushinoto

OKAYAMA

Mushiake

Shizutani

SHIMANE

Banshozan 

Daito

Fujina

Gotsu

Oda or Ota

Sesshu

HIROSHIMA

Himedani

YAMAGUCHI

Horikoshi

KAGAWA

Kankake 

Tomita

KOCHI

Nosayama

Odo

FUKUOKA

Asakura

Hikosan

Ichinose

Kangetsu

Noma

Sasada

Sue

Takaba

SAGA

Kuromuta

Shiinomine

Shiriaishi

Utsutsugawa

NAGASAKI

OITA

Onta

Tenryo 

Yabakei

MIYAZAKI

KUMAMOTO

Amakusa

Futagawa

Hirayama

Isshochi

Koda

Shodai

Uchisarayama

Yatsushiro

KAGOSHIMA

Chosa

Hirasa

Kushikino

Naeshirogawa

Tateno

KOI-not ceramic but very fun!

This is not Japanese ceramic, it is made of cast iron, but it blends so well with my Japanese ceramic collection.  It is a lantern. I think it has a lot of character!