Deep Kyoto

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Pottery Fair

Kiyomizu-yaki
Kiyomizu-yaki (清水焼- Kiyomizu ware) is a traditional type of pottery that has its origins in the Momoyama era (1568 – 1600) when Kyoto became a major center of pottery production. Kiyomizu-yaki takes its name from Kiyomizu Temple, because in the past there were many kilns in the Gojozaka area that leads up to that temple. Today most of the kilns are based in outlying areas such as Yamashina and Sumiyama, but Gojozaka is still lined with around 400 pottery stores selling beautiful rice bowls, tea utensils, tableware, incense burners, and decorative ceramics. This is a particularly refined and elegant style of pottery featuring exquisite colors and outstanding craftmanship. You will often see the term Kiyomizu-yaki paired with Kyo-yaki (京焼- Kyoto ware) which is a general term for pottery made in Kyoto. Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki are together nationally designated as traditional handicrafts of Japan.

Gojozaka Pottery Festival
One of Kyoto’s many fine summer traditions is the Gojozaka Pottery Festival which is held each year between August 7th and 10th. During this festival local vendors set up their stalls on Gojo Street all the way between the Kawabata and Higashioji boulevards. Each stall is piled high with a wide variety of ceramics, there are bargains galore, beautiful discoveries to be found, and a celebratory spirit in the air. First held in 1920, this is one of Japan’s major ceramics events and attracts around 400,000 visitors a year. Sadly, this year (2020) the festival had to be cancelled, but I have set up my own virtual pottery stall below which will give you some flavor of the sheer variety available within Kiyomizu-yaki. All the products shown below are genuine hand-crafted works from Kyoto and you can click on each image to learn more on the individual Amazon page.

A sake bottle with two cups from Tachikichi

Concierge Service
Naturally, the range of products available below is somewhat limited, as many fine vendors and brands of Kyo-yaki choose not to sell their wares via other online retailers. Tachikichi is one such prominent local brand of Kyo-yaki that can ship their products overseas, but unfortunately, they do not have ordering information available in English. If you would like to purchase the ceramic products of Tachikichi or other famous Kyoto brands, our Deep Kyoto Concierge can help you choose suitable products, advise you on prices, and help you place your order. Simply contact us at the following address and let us know the details of your request: deepkyotoconcierge[@]gmail.com

Yanagi Kiln Sake Cup Yuteki – $138

Tohan Kiln Sake Cup Nebula Tenmoku – $136

Nishiyama Kiln Sake Cup Pair Set – $283

Tohan Kiln Sake Cup Set – $334

Five Small Bowls – $713

Small Bowl Pair Set – $152

Soy Sauce Pot – $82

Saikai Pottery Teapot – $50.99

Matcha Bowl Kuroraku – $171

Matcha Bowl Akaraku – $178

Matcha Bowl Oribe Mentori – $158

Matcha Bowl Tenmoku – $126

Matcha Bowl Sakura – $334

Matcha Bowl Yohen – $125

Matcha Bowl Momiji – $118

Matcha Bowl Plum – $400

Matcha Bowl Sakura – $393

Matcha Bowl Flower Kessho – $159

Chopstick Rests Summer Leaves – $67

Chopstick Rests Gingko Leaves – $67

Rice Bowl Geppaku -$70

Rice Bowl Yusai – $73

Rice Bowl Yusai Senmon – $70

Rice Bowl Kokurin Senmon – $70

Two Rice Bowls Medetai – $128

Two Rice Bowls Kushimeinka – $112

Two Rice Bowls Oribe – $112

Two Rice Bowls Tokusa – $99

Two Rice Bowls Purple & Red Glaze – $107

Two Rice Bowls Arabesque – $139

Two Rice Bowls Hanaguruma – $219

Two Rice Bowls Honkohiki – $112

Ikebana Flower Vase Souka – $116

Ikebana Flower Vase Kohiki – $116

Ikebana Flower Vase Sogi – $116

Ikebana Flower vase. Kokuyo Saimon – $730

Koro Incense Burner Miyabi – $438

Koro Incense Burner Miyabi – $331

Koro Incense Burner Somenishiki Shochikubai – $2,711

Incense Holder Yugao – $251

Koro Incense Burner Musashino – $211

Black Maneki Neko Lucky Cat – $83

White Maneki Neko Lucky Cat – $83

Red Maneki Neko Lucky Cat – $83

Disclosure: Links on this page to products on Amazon.com are affiliate links from which I will earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.