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Tokeido – The six families of the Bizen Kilns

Bizen pottery is one of the six traditional types of pottery coming from the kilns of medieval Japan (Bizen, Echizen, Seto, Shigaraki, Tanba, and Tokoname). Tokeido has kept the traditional Bizen pottery-making techniques that originated in the Heian Era (roughly a 1000-year period beginning in 794 AD). The traditional approach excludes glazing and utilizes a 2-week-long firing process relying solely on red pine as fuel. The clay is dug up from the soil of the rice fields in the nearby area. The Tokeido kiln has been passed down within Kimura family for 18 generations. This pottery is made by the Kimura family- one of the original “Six Families” who were exclusively permitted to create Bizen style pottery in the Muromachi Era by the master of Tea Ceremony (or local lord). Furthermore, the Kimura family has been a purveyor to the Imperial Household Ministry, and the Ceremonial Agency. At JKI, we carry art pieces by Tozan Kimura (the 17th generation) as well as work by his son, Hideaki Kimura (the 18th generation).

These plates show the traditional Bizen beauty- unglazed when placed in a kiln but acquiring a natural ash glaze and surface pattern during the firing. These “meimeizara” sharing plates are designed to work well with wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) that go along with matcha.

NOT DISHWASHER SAFE

*The photos are indicative of the general look of these, but, as there are many samples, there may be a slight variation from product to product