Maintaining tradition also means constantly looking outward. The Tono region of Gifu Prefecture is a leading area for pottery in Japan. Established in 1804 in Tajimi, Kobeigama has connected its history through innovation.

Driving northeast from Nagoya, the increasingly lush hues of the Seto rural landscape present themselves, crossing the mountain range that marks the border with Gifu. In ancient times, the area was home to a lake, said to be six times the size of Lake Biwa, known as Tokai Lake, spanning Aichi and Gifu. The sediment from this body of water has formed the high-quality clay ideal for pottery in this region. Tajimi lies at its northern tip. The area has thrived as a leading pottery hub for 1,300 years alongside Seto in Aichi Prefecture.

Ryotaro Kato, the eighth generation of Kobeigama located here, speaks of the "entrepreneurial spirit" inherited since the tea master Furuta Oribe, who elevated Mino ware to its current status. In other words, it's an attitude of actively engaging with new things.

"Oribe introduced vibrant colors such as green, orange, and white to the previous dull hues of tea utensils. He also created interesting ceramics by altering shapes, known for their distortion and dynamic forms. It was a presentation aimed at surprising people and delighting them with something new. That spirit is deeply rooted in Mino ware."