Hira-Shimizu Kiln Ware
平清水焼
"Rooted in the mountains, shaped by the hands of tradition — Hirashimizu-yaki reflects the quiet strength and natural beauty of Yamagata."
- Momoka Ito
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@ photo credit: Sitiemon Kiln (n.d.)
Historical Background
Historical Background
Known as the village of ceramic art, Hira-Shimizu ware has the oldest history in Yamagata. Hira-Shimizu village is located at the southern foot of Mount Chitose, southeast of Yamagata City. It is said that Ono Tojihei, who came from Hitachinokuni during the Bunka era (1804-1817), was the founder of this pottery, but it is also said that pottery had been produced even before that. During the Bunsei Era (1818-1829), Abe Kakuzaemon of the Soma Clan visited the area and opened a kiln, which spread the Soma pottery method throughout the village and developed into a major ceramic village. At its peak in the middle of the Meiji period (1868-1912), there were more than 30 kilns, but as time went by, the number of kilns shrank, and today only two kilns remain, which are Sitiemon Gama and Seiryu Gama.
Characteristics
Characteristics
The most distinctive feature of this pottery is that it is fired using soil from Mount Chitose in Yamagata City. Chitoseyama clay contains high iron content, and the reaction of the iron sulfide with the flame produces a unique coloring. There are two representative types of Hira-Shimizu ware.
・Nashi Seiji
This is a representative type of pottery that can be said to be synonymous with Hira-Shimizu ware. The pear-skin-like texture and light bluish hue unique to Hira-Shimizu ware, produced by reduction flame firing, is called nashi celadon. The unique coloring is created by taking advantage of the properties of the clay from Chitoseyama, which has a high iron content. This is a particular point that cannot be expressed using an electric kiln.
・Zansei-yu
By using a glaze different from nashi celadon, a different pure white hue can also be expressed. The black flecks that remain in the white skin are reminiscent of the lingering snow on the Chitose Mountains. The simple design is popular even today, and many tea bowls and sake cups are produced. This beautiful pottery can highlight a variety of dishes, both Japanese and Western.
To know more
To know more
[City Promotion] Preserving Yamagata's Traditions｜Hira-Shimizu Ware Seiryugama (Audio: Japanese Only. Subtitle: Japanese/English)
[Yamagata City] | A video explaining how to make Hira-Shimizu Ware (Audio: Japanese Only. Subtitle: Japanese/English)
[Yamagata City of Film] Traditional Arts in Yamagata | Hira-Shimizu Ware (Audio: Japanese Only, Subtitle: Japanese/English)
[Official Prefectural Channel] Yamagata Channel | Hira-Shimizu Ware (Audio: Japanese Only. Subtitle: Japanese/English)
Go visit Sitiemon Kiln!
Go visit Sitiemon Kiln!
Shichiemon Kiln is located in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, and is one of the kilns that continue to preserve the 200 year-old tradition of Hira-Shimizu Ware pottery. Shichiemon Kiln produces fascinating folk art ceramics using potter's stone containing iron sulfide from the local Chitose Mountains as raw material. Visitors can enjoy a hand-cranked potter's wheel and painting experience at the pottery class. Each piece is made by hand by craftsmen who have inherited the tradition of Hira-Shimizu ware. Visitors can observe the craftsmen at work in the studio. More than 300 pieces of folk art pottery and other works of art are always on display and for sale in the store.
Photo of the signboard of Sitiemon Kiln
@ photo credit: Sitiemon Kiln (n.d.)
Photo of the wares made at Sitiemon Kiln
@ photo credit: Sitiemon Kiln (n.d.)
How to get to Sitiemon Kiln
How to get to Sitiemon Kiln
Address: 153 Hirashimizu, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, 990-2401 Japan
TEL: 023-642-7777
Email: sitiemon@amber.plala.or.jp
Opening Hour: 9:00-17:30
Closing Date: Every Monday
Access: From Yamagata Station, take a bus bound for Geiko-dai-mae or Nishi-zoou (wild plant garden). Get off at Hiraishimizu bus stop. It is a 10-minute walk.
Direct Voice from Momoka Ito
Direct Voice from Momoka Ito
"Hira-Shimizu ware is a traditional style of pottery born in the foothills of Yamagata City, shaped by the region’s rich clay and deep seasonal contrasts. Its simple yet powerful forms reflect both practicality and quiet beauty, often seen in daily-use vessels like bowls and cups. Passed down for generations, the craft continues to evolve while preserving its connection to nature and place. Rooted in the mountains, shaped by the hands of tradition, Hira-Shimizu ware reflects the quiet strength and natural beauty of Yamagata."
By Momoka Ito
References
References
Kintsugi Kurashi. (n.d.). Hirashimizuyaki toha? Tokuchou ya taiken・kounyuu dekiru basho wo shoukai [What is Hira-
Shimizuyaki? Features, places to experience and purchase Hira-Shimizu-yaki].
https://kintsugikurashi.co.jp/utsuwa/yakimono/hirashimizuyaki/#:~:text=平清水焼の特徴・種類&text=平清水焼の
代名詞と,色合いとなっています%E3%80%82
Sitiemon Kiln. (n.d.). Sitiemon Gama [Sitiemon Kiln].
http://www.sitiemon.com/
Yamagata City. (n.d.). Hirashimizuyaki [Hira-Shimizu Ware].
https://yamagata-furusato-kougei.jp/detail/03-05.html
By Momoka Ito
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