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Japan is home to ancient pottery hubs known as the Six Ancient Kilns. Among them—Seto, Shigaraki, Echizen, Tamba, and Bizen—Tokoname flourished as the largest production center. Situated south of Nagoya on the western coast of the Chita Peninsula jutting into Ise Bay, its pottery was shipped far and wide via sea routes. Much like Seto and Mino, Tokoname's potters have long relied on high-quality clay from the ancient Lake Tokai, a massive body of water that existed between 650,000 and 1 million years ago.
The roots of Tokoname ware trace back to the late Heian period. It thrived until the Edo period by producing earthenware pipes, large jars (*kame*), and *shudei* (red clay) teaware. From the Meiji era onward, its production expanded to include bricks and sanitary tiles. Today, one of Tokoname's most iconic creations is the *kyusu*, or teapot. We had the pleasure of speaking with Yohei Konishi, a designated Holder of an Intangible Cultural Property of Tokoname City and a recipient of the Aichi Prefecture Outstanding Skills Award (also known as an 'Aichi Master Craftsman').
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