Naraoka Ware
楢岡焼
楢岡焼
(Chinese & Korean descriptions below)
Among the wares made in Akita that date back to the Edo period, Naraoka ware’s Kakuemon kiln in Daisen is the only ascending kiln that has continued with its tradition to this day. Kiyoharu Komatsu is said to have started the kiln in 1863 by inviting potters from the Terauchi Seto guild to the foothills of Mt. Oosugi. This was called the Oosugi Seto at the time. Naraoka ware flourished during the Meiji era. There were many products for daily use, such as water jars, mortars and pestles, and lipped bowls. They were transported to Akita City and the Omagari area by boats on the Omono River.
The industry declined later due to consumers’ changing preferences and demands by the national government to manufacture clay pipes for public civil engineering projects. However, after the Second World War, the potters’ efforts to improve the quality of products and the folkcraft boom led to Naraoka ware’s revival. The distinguishing characteristic of Naraoka ware is its unique blue glaze called Namako. After the wares are fired at high temperatures to make the most of the local clay, they undergo carbonization firing. This process, called Yakishime, emphasizes the deep blue color of the Namako glaze and changes the pottery’s color when fired. In recent years, wares have been created not only for practical use but also as gifts. These are also popular as artworks that are simple yet sophisticated.
Naraoka Ware is made out of clay found specifically in the Akita region. The clay that is used is not ideal for making pottery, however, because it was difficult to get access to clay from other regions the craftsmen had to utilize the resources that were available to them. Numerous trials and errors were conducted to amend the clay. Naraoka Ware has a stunning deep blue glaze that results from a special liquid called Namako-Yu (海鼠釉). This special liquid also creates a unique ripple mark that is very prominent on the pottery. It is called Namako-Yu because it resembles the surface of sea cucumbers (Namako in Japanese). The blue color of the interior design in the green car in Akita Shinkansen comes from the color of Naraoka ware.
Vlog about Naraoka Ware (Sound only)
Showing the Naraoka wares sold at Okome No Sawata in Daisen city. (From 1:00) (Japanese only)
Current activities
Naraoka Toen (楢岡陶苑)is the only studio left in Daisen city that makes Naraoka Ware. It sells the wares and workshops and tours are available for those who are interested (reservation required). The workshop takes about 2 hours to create the shape and your Naraoka ware will be delivered to you 1 to 2 months after it is baked by the professionals. See the bowl made by 10 years old!
Naraoka Toen
Take a Ou line train at Akita station to Jinguji station for 40 minutes. Take a Nangai line bus bound for Iwakura onsen at Jinguji station to Takano for 10 minutes, and walk for 2 minutes.
Online store: https://naraokayaki.stores.jp/
TEL: 0187-73-1018
E-mail: info@naraokayaki.jp (For the workshop, contact them 3 business days before)
Area Nakaichi at Akita Station
Akita airport
Prices
The price of wares varied from around 600 - 10,000 yen at the official websites of Naraoka Toen.
(Information from 楢岡焼web - Naraoka Ware Web)
Photos by Tohoku Digital Archive
楢岡燒
在江戶時代開始的秋田縣的陶器中,唯一一個繼續延續著的登窯傳統的陶器是大仙市南外的楢岡燒・角右衛門窯。
小松清治(初代角右衛門)在江戶時代末期的文久三年(1863年)從寺内瀨戶座(秋田市)邀請了一位陶藝家,據說該窯是在大杉山腳下建造的,距目前位置稍遠,當時稱為「大杉瀨戶」。
在明治時代生產了大量水瓶、研鉢和酒壺等日用品,並利用雄物川的運輸將它們運至秋田和大曲方面,並因此得以繁榮發展。
此後,由於消費者喜好的改變,需求下降,走上一條辛苦之路,例如受到第二次世界大戰的影響而被迫製造陶管,戰後,在提高品質的努力之下和民間藝術的繁榮幫助恢復了活力。
楢岡燒的特色是散發出獨特藍色調的釉料,稱為「海參」。為充分利用當地土壤的味道而透過使用高溫烘烤的燒烤技術後,再透過不添加氧氣的還原方法將其碳化並再次燒製的「焼締」技術,突顯出海參釉的深藍色,窯變土味營造出微妙的味道。
近年來,不僅實用的器皿,而且融合了簡僕而具有現代感的帶有民間工藝品元素的物品也已經生產並越來越受歡迎。
楢冈烧
从江户时代开始的秋田陶瓷器中,唯一一个保留了登窑传统的陶器制作地,就是大仙市南外的楢冈烧・角右卫门窑。
角右卫门窑始于江户时代末期的文久三年(公元1863年)。小松清治(初代角右卫门)寺内濑户座(秋田市)招来了陶工师,在离此地稍有一段距离的大杉山山脚下建造了窑。当时还被称为“大杉濑户”。
明治时代,此地生产了大量水瓶、研磨碗、片口(酒器)等日用器具。通过雄物川的船运,这些器皿被运送至秋田和大曲被大众所接受。
此后,消费者的喜好发生了改变致使楢冈烧的需求减少。再加上二战的影响被迫制造陶管使产业一度陷入了低迷。不过战后通过改善器具的质量,再加上民艺热潮的开始,楢冈烧的产业又重获新生了。
楢冈烧的特点在于器具上被称为“海鼠”的蓝色釉药。为了有效利用当地的泥土,楢冈烧在高温烧成后,会通过无氧还原烧法将其炭化烧成。这种烧制方式被称为“烧缔”,它会让海鼠釉的蓝色更加明显,通过窑变使器具的成色更加耐人寻味。
近几年来,除了实用性高的日用器皿,带有民艺元素的,还有简洁具有现代感的楢冈烧也开始进入市场,并被更多的人接受。
나라오카 구이
에도 시대에 시작된 아키타 현의 가마 구이물중에서 단 한번도 끊이지 않고 가마의 전통을 지키고 있는 것이 다이센시의 나라오카 구이・가쿠에몬 가마이다.
에도 시대 말기의 1632년에 코마쓰 세이지(초대 가쿠에몬)가 데라우치 세토좌(아키타시)에서 도공을 초대하여 현재 위치에서 조금 떨어진 오스기야마 산기슭에 가마를 만든 것이 시초라고 알려져 있으며, 처음에는「오스기 세토」라고 불려지고 있었다.
메이지 시대에는 물병, 깨 가는 그릇, 일부에 물 따르는 주둥이가 붙어 있는 그릇 등 일용품 집기류를 대량으로 생산하여 오모노가와 강의 선박을 이용하여 아키타, 오마가리 방면으로도 실려나가 매우 번성하였다.
그 후, 소비자의 기호 변화에 따른 수요 감소와 제 2차 세계 대전의 영향으로 자기로 된 관의 제조를 강요당하는 등 고난의 길도 있었지만, 전후는 품질 향상의 노력과 민예붐을 탄 것도 있어, 다시 활기를 되찾게 되었다.
나라오카 구이의 특징은 「나마코」라고 부르는 독특한 푸른 빛을 발하는 유약에 있다. 지역 토양의 특성을 살리기 위해 고온에서 구운 후 다시 한 번 산소를 넣지않는 환원 방법으로 탄화 소성하는 「야키시메(유약을 바르지 않고 고온에서 굽는 방법)」기법을 사용함으로써, 나마코 유약의 깊은 청색이 돋보여, 흙 맛의 미묘한 멋을 낳는다.
최근에는 실용적인 그릇뿐만 아니라 민예품의 요소를 가진 것이나, 소박하면서도 현대적인 감각을 도입 한 작품도 제작되어 인기가 높아지고 있다.
Photos by Tohoku Digital Archive