In search of a taste that cannot be talked about in mass production

Authentic baked products with traditional and reliable techniques

On the History of Hasami Ware

About 400 years ago, the lord of Omura participated in Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s dispatch to Korea at the end of the 16th century.
It is said that it was started by a Korean potter who brought it when he returned home.

Speaking of Hasami ware, dyed and celadon are the main, but at first it seems that glazed pottery was produced.
After that, porcelain raw materials were discovered in the village, and gradually shifted to porcelain centered on dyed and celadon,
At last, it became a specialty of the Omura domain, and in the late Edo period, the production with dyeing became the largest in Japan.
In this way, Hasami ware has developed into a large production area for both dyed and celadon.

The Omura domain established Sarayama Government Office (sekisho) so that technology would not be stolen and put a lot of effort into the production of porcelain.
Most of the dishes produced were everyday tableware, and it was called “Urawanka bowl” which easily drew the arabesque pattern with a brush.
The thick, simple dyed teacup became a representative of Hasami ware.
Hasami ware was mass-produced with a huge continuous chamber-type climbing kiln and expanded its sales channels to the whole country and overseas at an affordable price.

Hasami ware has been handed down by its long history and the outstanding skills of craftsmen.

June 3, 2015 I visited Hisaya Fukushige, who is demonstrating his work at Aoyama Square.

-Biography-

1952 Born in Nagasaki, Graduated from Meiji University Faculty of Commerce
・Got a job at Chunsan Toen, which has been manufacturing pottery since his great-grandfather’s generation
・ Studied under Mr. Heizo Nakamura, an intangible cultural property
Certified as a traditional craftsman in 2000
Built in 2001

-Awards-

・ Selected and prized at the Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition
Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition 3rd place in the industrial category
Nagasaki Ceramics Exhibition 2nd Governor’s Award
　　　

(Q) I would like to ask you that I have been worried about Mr. Fukushige’s career. Why did you go on to the Faculty of Commerce at Meiji University while being born in a kiln?

When I was in college, Japan was in good health, and hasami ware was expensive from that time, but it was an era where it could sell more and more if I made it. At that time, I was thinking about learning management rather than production and contributing to sales.

After that, he studied management at a university in Tokyo, returned home, and got a job at Chunsan Toen, which has been engaged in pottery since his great-grandfather’s generation.
At that time, Hasami ware was mainly mass-produced with machine potter’s and castings and sold more and more,
Is this all right from a certain time? I began to think.

(Q) Did you mean you started to question your work?

Right. Specifically, “mass production of machine manufacturing”
I think I wanted to be the starting point after I started to have doubts. . . .
If not a “kicking potter’s” like when my great-grandfather started,
I want to use a potter’s hand and work on it one by one.
We want to make real baked food with traditional and reliable technology,
I gradually began to think.

I continued to work as it is during the day, and studied under Mr. Heizo Nakamura at night,
I continued to learn technology for about 10 years.

(Q) I was surprised! You had such a career.

Since being certified as a traditional craftsman, even tools and glazes
I’m particular about handmade everything.
It’s hard to get this cedar tool now.
I make it in the part of the lower frame of the shoji of the high-quality material.
If it is not a thin one, a delicate pattern will not be engraved in the work.

Even the thread when separating the work from the potter’s crop,
The tip of the rice ear is made.

(Q) Eh…?　Smithasen, am I an octopus thread? I thought.

This will also be tested by hasami ware’s traditional craftsmen.
Of course, if you write octopus thread, it is deducted (laughs)

I also mix glaze myself.
Due to the difference in temperature and a little amount when baked
Because the way of coming out of the color is different, there are times when it does not understand if it does not take out the kiln.

(Q) You are particular about making everything by yourself, not division of labor. I actually picked up the work and felt it, but it was very light and delicate.

It is likely to be so.
However, the work is delicate but strong.
Because it is porcelain burnt at a high temperature.

Thank you for talking about various things. Thank you again next year!

When we first met him, fukushige had a reticent impression last year when he took a photo of a blog demonstration.
When I actually talked to him, he responded very friendlyly, and he was really particular about handmade,
It has been understood that you love baked things from the heart.
Mr. Fukushige, thank you very much for your talk while you are busy today.