Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture promotes Karatsu ware for the first time at the Japan Expo [Saga TV/Mainichi Newspaper/Asahi Shimbun, etc.]

Karatsu ware debuted at Japan Expo

2017/6/29 (Thursday), with support from Karatsu City, Saga PrefectureJapan Expo Paris “WABI SABI” PavilionThe potter from the 3 karatsu pottery companies who decided to exhibit at visited Mayor Tatsuro Mine and expressed his determination to exhibit.
Karatsu ware was first promoted at the Japan Expo, and it was widely reported on Saga TV, Mainichi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, etc.

＞＞Go to the Saga TV official website
＞＞Published in the Mainichi Newspapers article on 2017/6/30 (Friday)
＞＞Published in the Asahi Shimbun article on 2017/7/2 (Sun)

To the world's “Karatsu brand”

In 2017, Karatsu City took on the challenge of strengthening the Karatsu ware brand at the Japan Expo.
Three young people, including Kawakami Hideyuki, Okamoto Shuichi, and Kishida Masahiro, will travel to the site and show off their skills and appeal at a 9-square-meter special booth set up by Karatsu City.

(Nakazato Taroemon Tōbō 14th generation Nakazato Tarouemon
It is the head of the famous kiln, which is said to have started when the first Nakazato Matashichi opened the kiln in 1596, and is now celebrating 421 years. In 2002, he attacked the 14th Nakazato Tarouemon. While preserving traditional Karatsu ware, we are continuing to take on the challenge of new Karatsu ware.

(Nakazato Taroemon Tōbō Kawakami Hideyuki
Regarding the Japan Expo exhibition this time, he expressed his determination, “In order to preserve and convey the 400-year history of Karatsu ware, I want to firmly grasp the reactions from overseas and use it as a reference for future creations.”

Sakura Reigama Okamoto Shuichi
“I am working hard to make pottery in the nature of Mt. Sakurei, which talks with the earth and listens to the sound of fire.”

Torisugama Mr. Masahiro Kishida
“While inheriting the traditional techniques of Karatsu ware that have continued for over 400 years, we aim to create vessels that are compatible with today's cutting-edge global food culture. At the same time, I am also focusing on vessels for authentic tea ceremonies (matcha) and vessels for Japanese sake.”

Passing on the tradition of Karatsu ware to the next generation

Karatsu ware has a simple yet tasteful texture, and has been loved by many pottery fans. In the Edo period, mainly in western Japan, “Karatsu” became synonymous with hayakimono, indicating pottery in general, and was even called “karatsumono” in eastern Japan.

When Toyotomi Hideyoshi sent troops to Korea twice, kilns were formed in various places when they brought back Korean pottery workers, and their styles and varieties became richer. During the Keicho era (1596-1615), production volume increased and it began to be distributed nationwide, and Karatsu ware reached its peak.

After that, due to the rise of porcelain production in Arita, etc., Karatsu ware temporarily declined, but it continued to preserve the tradition of the Karatsu Domain as a royal kiln throughout the Edo period.
It was only after the 12th Nakazato Tarouemon (Mu-an, later Living National Treasure) of the Nakazato family, who was used as a kiln in the early Showa period, excavated the ruins of an old Karatsu kiln and revived old Karatsu techniques.

Today, the number of potteries has increased, and new Karatsu ware continues to be created with their own styles based on history.

*Reference material: “The History and Present of Karatsu Ware” published by Karatsu City

Japan Expo Paris 2017
‍Period: 2017/7/6 (Thu) to 7/9 (Sun)
Venue: Paris, Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center
‍＞＞Japan Expo Official Homepage
‍＞＞Click here for information on exhibiting at the Tradition and Regional Culture Pavilion “WABI SABI”

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◎ To: Japan Promotion Association Japan Expo Exhibition Office
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