Koishiwara ware is pottery made in Toho Village, Asakura District, Fukuoka Prefecture. They mainly make everyday items. Koishiwara ware started in 1682, when Kuroda Mitsuyuki invited potters from Imari and established a kiln. It was the first area to produce pottery in Chikuho.
It is known for its unique geometrical patterns that are made using hakeme, tobikanna, and kushikaki. They often use a raw glazing technique, which means they pour the glaze without bisque firing. This technique later reached Onta ware in Hita City, Oita Prefecture, which is why Onta ware and Koishiwara ware are similar. Bernard Leach, who significantly changed the pottery industry in Japan, greatly admired this technique, saying, “It’s the peak of the beauty of use.”
