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| The Yabakei kiln sign |
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| The gorge at Yabakei |
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| Yaba Mark |
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| Tea cup (probably 60-70 years old per conversation with current kiln master Yoshimura Isao 7/2019) |
This is Yabakei pottery of Oita prefecture. It stands in the shadow of Oita's most famous pottery, Onta. It carries with it some of the colorings of nearby Agano ware which is what led me to first believe it might be from there. The hand moulding and pinching technique makes it a bit unusual and gives it a natural feeling. The mark on the bottom reads YABA. There is precious little in either Japanese or English that I could find, being a style of its own. It comprises of only one kiln to my knowledge, Yoshimura Shougetsu-en with origins dating back to 1902.
https://www.ny-ikik.net/index.php?action=seller_infomation&cd=10082
Updated AUGUST 2019 My visit to Yabakei
Yabakei is a small town in the mountains near Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. It is about a 25 minute bus ride from Nakatsu station through small villages. The location is famous for the Yabakei Gorge. Right near the gorge is the Yabakei kiln, Yoshimura Shogetsu-En. They have been making pottery since the Meiji period. They once fired their wares in an anagama, but these days they find it easier, less expensive and more reliable to use a gas kiln. The current master is Yoshimura Isao. He is the 4th in the line, and unfortunately he may be the last as he does not have an heir that will take over the kiln. We enjoyed our visit with him very much. First he served us some cold barley tea ( it was a very hot day). He then shared the history of the kiln, showed us his shop, examples of his work and earlier master’s works, and then invited us to see his kiln and work areas. He discussed the future of his kiln. I told him about my blog. He gave me permission to share pictures and information. Interestingly enough, the tea cups at the top of this page, after showing pictures of them to Mr. Yoshimura, he said he had never seen that style, but that it was indeed Yabakei Yaki. He says they must be 60-70 years old and must have been made by his father or grandfather.
Updated AUGUST 2019 My visit to Yabakei
Yabakei is a small town in the mountains near Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. It is about a 25 minute bus ride from Nakatsu station through small villages. The location is famous for the Yabakei Gorge. Right near the gorge is the Yabakei kiln, Yoshimura Shogetsu-En. They have been making pottery since the Meiji period. They once fired their wares in an anagama, but these days they find it easier, less expensive and more reliable to use a gas kiln. The current master is Yoshimura Isao. He is the 4th in the line, and unfortunately he may be the last as he does not have an heir that will take over the kiln. We enjoyed our visit with him very much. First he served us some cold barley tea ( it was a very hot day). He then shared the history of the kiln, showed us his shop, examples of his work and earlier master’s works, and then invited us to see his kiln and work areas. He discussed the future of his kiln. I told him about my blog. He gave me permission to share pictures and information. Interestingly enough, the tea cups at the top of this page, after showing pictures of them to Mr. Yoshimura, he said he had never seen that style, but that it was indeed Yabakei Yaki. He says they must be 60-70 years old and must have been made by his father or grandfather.
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| Kiln pamphlet |
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| Kiln history and calling card |
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| Made by Yoshimura Souyou, 3rd master of the kiln |
Made by the current master
