We are pleased to announce that we have collaborated with Nagoya Castle to add the "Ofukai Ware" "Lord's Reward" series, planned by Masukichi, to the "NAGOYA CASTLE" series of official souvenirs sold at Nagoya Castle!
The pieces were created by Kita Kiln Kasen , a kiln located in Akazu, Seto, which opened in 1656. This project was quietly nurtured after being approached by a representative from Nagoya Castle about a year ago, and the day has finally come for it to be unveiled. Sales will begin on Saturday, October 5th, inside Nagoya Castle and at Masukichi.
What is "Ofukai ware"?
Tokugawa Yoshinao, the first lord of Nagoya Castle, believed that a wealthy country needed industry and focused on pottery. He invited potters from Seto, a pottery producing region, to the castle to produce "Ofukai ware" to suit the lord's tastes and as gifts.
The area around Meijo Castle Park was once called Shita Ofukeniwa, a garden reserved for the feudal lord. Potters were invited to this area from Seto, a region famous for its pottery, to create works and gifts tailored to the lord's tastes, which came to be called "Ofukai ware."
In particular, the works that use glazes made from Seto soil mixed with the mineral feldspar and wood ash are called "Ofukai glazes" and are representative of Ofukai ware. They are characterized by a transparent blue-green color, a clear hue like celadon.
What is Kitagama Kasen, a pottery maker founded in 1656 ?
This time, the souvenirs were made by Kitagama Kasen, a pottery maker that has been in business for nearly 370 years.
The Akazu district where the studio is located is a special place in Seto City, a pottery production area. This is the area where the traditional pottery craft "Akatsu ware" is made, and it is said to be the first place in the history of Japanese pottery where the authentic technique of applying glaze was first introduced.
Akazu was originally a village called Akazu Village. In 1925, it became part of what was then Seto Town. Akazu Town, whose name still remains today, is the area that was once a bustling downtown area, and when you visit, you'll see rows of pottery-related shops and workshops wherever you look.
This is not Seto but Akatsu Village. That's the atmosphere you can feel.
About a year ago, I was approached by the people at Nagoya Castle who wanted to create souvenirs of Ofukai ware, and I was at a loss as to what to do. Although I knew of the existence of "Ofukai ware," there were many theories about what exactly it was, and it was quite a difficult problem.
So we consulted with Kato Hiroshige, the 12th head of Kitagama Kasen .
Although it is a historic pottery manufacturer, it is extremely generous to young people and people from overseas, and is enthusiastic about trying new things, such as planning the "Akatsu Kiln Village Tour" which opened its workshop to the public more than 20 years ago. Hiroshige was so kind as to teach us the basics of Ofukai ware and Ofukai glaze. 
When I saw their works at the gallery, I found that in addition to traditional pieces, they also make the KASEN series, which can be used for everyday life and is perfect for modern life. This time, we asked them to work with us as a patron kiln that feels familiar and suits the Reiwa era.
To the official kiln "Karasaburo Kiln"
In order to create the souvenirs, we visited Karasaburo Kiln, which actually served the Imperial Court as an official kiln within Nagoya Castle, and paid a visit to say hello to the people of Nagoya Castle.
It's truly amazing that pottery is still being made today.
Even though I live in Seto City, it's rare to meet Professor Kato Tozaburo, so I was a little nervous, but he was a very friendly person. All of his works are elegant and beautiful, and I was captivated by them.
I was also shown the pass used to enter Nagoya Castle, which was also very impressive.
The Tozaburo Kiln is said to have descended from Kato Shirozaemon Kagemasa (commonly known as Toshiro) , known as the founder of pottery in Seto . Toshiro traveled to China following Zen Master Dogen, the founder of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism, where he studied pottery techniques and returned to Japan in search of clay suitable for pottery.
"Kitagama Kasen" is a branch of this family. Akatsu is home to many historic potteries, and you can feel a strange sense of the intersection of the present and history.
Souvenir Introduction
Now, let's introduce some souvenirs. The "Lord's Reward" series is made one by one by hand, mainly on the potter's wheel.
Gofukai glaze small plate (1,760 yen)
This small plate is made on a potter's wheel and decorated with a "shinogi" (ridge) created by carving the rim with a carving knife.
Fukai glaze sake bottle (3,850 yen)
While the potter's wheel is still rotating, the craftsman uses a bow made by the artisan to bevel the edges. Furthermore, a wooden stick is inserted inside to create a bulge, a highly difficult technique. This is a one-of-a-kind piece that gives you a sense of the momentum of the rotation.
Gofukai glaze sake cup (1,980 yen)
It is made in the same way as a sake bottle, with the edges beveled. Looking inside, you can see the glittering glaze of the Gofukai glaze.
Gofukai glaze teacup (2,200 yen)
A teacup that can be used for tea or shochu with water. A combination of Bengara and Ono Fukai glaze. Where the two colors blend together, a candy-like glaze color appears.
Gofukai glaze coffee bowl (3,630 yen)
This American-sized mug is made on a potter's wheel. It is larger than the usual size for Japanese people, making it a great souvenir for people from overseas. Beneath the Gofukai glaze is benigara, which is said to be the oldest pigment in Japan.
Gofukai glaze earrings (4,840 yen each)
The earrings are pierced earrings. They are shaped using a mold, and the detailed decorations are hand-painted. We offer three types: round, rectangular, and petal-shaped.
This time, the design was handled by Takehide Sawada of " studio point ." He helped us out, even though we were unfamiliar with product development, and the finished product was wonderful! We are very grateful.
I'll be waiting for you in Seto
Finally, we have a message from Minami Shintaro of "Hitotsuchi" regarding the "Lord's Reward" series!
"When I heard about this from the person in charge at Nagoya Castle, I was thrilled to be able to proceed with the project, hoping to spread awareness of Ono-Fukai ware and Ono-Fukai glazes. I am also extremely grateful to the long-established pottery manufacturer, Kitagama Kasen, for their cooperation in making the items affordable enough to be used as souvenirs.
You can travel from Nagoya Castle to Seto in one go using the Meitetsu Seto Line. At Jokoji Temple in Seto City, there is also the mausoleum where Tokugawa Yoshinao, the first lord of Nagoya Castle, rests. He enjoyed martial arts as a hobby and often came to Seto to hunt. I hope that this series of articles on the Lord's Reward will spark interest in you and further connect Nagoya Castle and Seto to the present day.
Thank you very much for your support.
[Event Announcement]
On Sunday, November 17th, Hiroshige Kato will be speaking at the "Yattokame Culture Festival DOORS" event. The venue will be the Honmaru Palace inside Nagoya Castle. We will also be selling souvenirs, so please come and visit us!
"Ofukai Ware Born at Nagoya Castle: The Trajectory of an Industry Cherished by the Owari Tokugawa Clan"
[Date and time] 11/17 (Sun) 14:00-15:30
[Venue] Nagoya Castle Honmaru Palace, Peacock Room, 1-1 Honmaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya
*5 minutes walk from Exit 7 of Nagoya Castle Station on the Meijo Subway Line [Participation fee] 1,000 yen (plus 500 yen admission to Nagoya Castle)
[Lecturer] Hiroshige Kato (12th head of Kita Kiln Kasen)
