Otaru ware is pottery made in Irifune, Otaru City, Hokkaido. The kiln that produces it was established in 1900, making it the oldest kiln in Hokkaido. Shirose Shinji, a potter from Shibata, Echigo, who worked at an official domain kiln, went to Otaru, Hokkaido and established a kiln in Hanazono Town. He mainly made unglazed pots and vases. It is said that this is the origin of Otaru ware. The second-generation head, Seizo, inherited the kiln and moved it to Irifune Town. He made flower vases and everyday items.
In 1941, during the Second World War, the third-generation head, Shirose Eiichi (potter’s pseudonym: Eietsu), found good-quality mud when he was digging underground behind his home kiln to make a bomb shelter. He made potter’s clay using this mud, and made unique pieces inspired by his hometown, Otaru. He then established a new kiln with support from the Hokkaido Government Office. The oldest Otaru pottery kiln, Otaru Kiln Shirose Toen, closed in 2007 due to the lack of a successor, ending 107 years of Otaru pottery history.
