Mid-Edo Period-Meiji Era
awata pottery
In 1711, Ichimonjiya Chubei (Hattori Gyozan) started a kiln in Awata, Rakuto in 1711. Received the Gyozan name in 1805 after being permitted to enter Shoren-in Awata Palace as a commissioned potter. The names of Ichimonjiya for the shop, Chubei for the popular name, and Gyozan for the artist name were inherited thereafter, as ceramics were produced until the 6th generation Gyozan. However, the kiln was closed in 1877. The artist name of Gyozan was given to Omiya Chobei, the ceramic merchant in Kiyomizu-Gojo and friend.
In addition, around 1884 an individual named Namura Kyujiro made ceramics for a short time while carrying on the name of Hattori’s kiln. There are also 3 kilns by Kahei, Sahei, Katsubei, who branched from the main Hattori family. Each used the name of Ichimonjiya Gyozan but closed during the Meiji era. *In particular, there were many kilns in Awata, Kyoto with the name of Ichimonjiya.
While Okada Gyozan’s kiln aimed to make exports, Hattori Gyozan’s kiln made traditional Awata ware with paintings of famous locations in Kyoto and plants. Many tea bowls, lidded containers, small plats, and other forms of tableware were fired.
