Kokuji ware is pottery made in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture. Kokuji ware started in 1818–1829 in the Edo period, when the founder, Kumagai Jin’emon, trained under Kazo, a potter from Soma. After that, Jin’emon acquired his mentor’s techniques. He discovered clay in the area, created his own glaze, and made tea utensils.
In the Meiji era, He was acknowledged by Yanagi Muneyoshi, but his performance gradually declined. In 1953, with the efforts of Kuji City, they merged the three kilns that were barely managing, and established the Kokuji ware pottery workshop, represented by Shimodake Takeshi. The place was restored and still exists today.
