A versatile and elegant bottle in a soft green glaze characteristic of Onta pottery. Onta ware is connected to the Japanese Mingei (folk art) movement, founded by Yanagi Sōetsu in the 1920s.
True to the Mingei spirit, Onta pottery is designed for everyday use, functional and honest. Onta is a small village nestled in the Kyushu mountains where around ten families of potters continue a tradition more than 300 years old. The clay for Onta ware is sourced from local stone and prepared using a water mill, a process called kara’usu that can take up to two months.
This slow and rhythmic preparation is part of the community and the sound of the water mill has been recognized as one of Japan’s 100 Soundscapes, preserved for its cultural significance. Each piece is shaped by hand, fired in wood-burning kilns, and finished with natural glazes made from materials like straw, iron, copper, and ash.
The result are pieces that feel timeless and rooted with subtle variations that make every piece unique. In 1970, Onta pottery has been designated an Intangible Cultural Property of Japan meaning that potters continue to work according to traditional methods and perpetuate an important old knowledge and savoir-faire.
A versatile and elegant bottle in a soft green glaze characteristic of Onta pottery. Onta ware is connected to the Japanese Mingei (folk art) movement, founded by Yanagi Sōetsu in the 1920s.
True to the Mingei spirit, Onta pottery is designed for everyday use, functional and honest. Onta is a small village nestled in the Kyushu mountains where around ten families of potters continue a tradition more than 300 years old. The clay for Onta ware is sourced from local stone and prepared using a water mill, a process called kara’usu that can take up to two months.
This slow and rhythmic preparation is part of the community and the sound of the water mill has been recognized as one of Japan’s 100 Soundscapes, preserved for its cultural significance. Each piece is shaped by hand, fired in wood-burning kilns, and finished with natural glazes made from materials like straw, iron, copper, and ash.
The result are pieces that feel timeless and rooted with subtle variations that make every piece unique. In 1970, Onta pottery has been designated an Intangible Cultural Property of Japan meaning that potters continue to work according to traditional methods and perpetuate an important old knowledge and savoir-faire.
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