Newsletter (December 20, 2024, 12th Nakazato Tarouemon (Muan), 13th Nakazato Tarouemon (Hoan), Shigetoshi Nakazato, Takashi Nakazato)

Hello everyone.

Christmas is coming soon. It's been cold every day,
How are you all doing?

This week I will be talking about Nakazato Tarouemon Kiln.
As you all know, the current head of the Nakazato Tarouemon Kiln is the 14th generation Nakazato Tarouemon Sensei.
It is one of Karatsu's most representative kilns, having been the official supplier to the Karatsu domain since the Edo period and continuing to this day.

Karatsu ware began in the Momoyama period when Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Korea.
By adopting technology from Korea, the craftsmanship was at the forefront of technology at the time, but once Arita porcelain began to be produced, the craftsmanship quickly became outdated and fell into decline.

Nevertheless, the Nakazato family continued to make pottery throughout the Edo period by producing gifts for the Karatsu domain. However, when the shogunate disappeared in the Meiji era and orders for gifts ceased, the pottery industry throughout Japan, including Karatsu, entered a period of transition.
In the meantime, the Momoyama Renaissance began to take hold in potteries all over Japan.
From the Taisho to the early Showa period, the person who devoted himself to the investigation and restoration of the Karatsu ware kiln sites was
This is the 12th Nakazato Tarouemon (Nakazato Muan).
After the war, Muan was supported by his three sons, the 13th Nakazato Taroemon, Shigetoshi, and Takashi.

Each of them has a different style of work, the 13th generation took over the main family, Shigetoshi took over the Sangen kiln,
Takashi built the Takata Kiln and they made pottery separately.
Sangen Kiln was closed after Shigetoshi's death, but the main Tarouemon Kiln is still run by the 14th Tarouemon-sensei, and Ryuta Kiln is still run by Ryu-sensei.
The fact that it has been passed down to his son, Dr. Ogame, and his grandson, Dr. Kenta,
I'm sure you all know this.

We have recently opened a page on the Ichibankan website called "Shine as Masterpieces of Art," and this week we have a piece that we feel is worthy of being featured on the page.
The 12th generation Nakazato Tarouemon (Muan), the 13th generation Nakazato Tarouemon (Hoan),
We will be introducing four tea bowls by Shigetoshi Nakazato and Takashi Nakazato.
Each piece is a masterpiece that perfectly represents their respective styles.
Great for end of year shopping.

Well, everyone, there is not much time left this year, and I know you are busy, but
Have a great weekend this week too.

Naoki Sakamoto, Owner of Ichibankan