Tosen Kiln
Tosen Kiln introduces the traditional techniques of Kiyomizu ware through their delicate hand painting and modeling styles.
The intricate paintings breathe warmth and beauty into their pieces and tell stories of the diligence needed to create them.
About Tosen Kiln
Tosen Kiln was founded in 1868 as a Kiyomizu ware wholesaler. In June 1944, a production studio was established in Mukomachi, a suburb of Kyoto City, kick-starting the creation and production of Kiyomizu ware–traditional crafts made in the Kyoto area.
The kiln is consistently striving to improve their techniques and sensitivities. It takes special care in implementing traditional Kyoto craftsmanship and believes that the essence of Kiyomizu ware can be found in the techniques of artist and master potter, Nonomura Ninsei. The kiln preserves Ninsei's steady lathing techniques and lustrous painting styles while adapting them to modern times to express clean lines and warm tones.
Sakura Series

Delicate sakura petals and leaves decorate Kyoto in spring. The weeping cherry blossoms are one of the representative flowers of Kyoto, and encapsulate Kyoto's unique atmosphere. Green and pink hues pop against the yellowish cream white color enabling you to imagine the gentle sway of the leaves and blossoms drooping down. Please enjoy these intricate paintings of "Gion-zakura" or weeping cherry blossoms.
Kozan-ji Temple (Choju Giga) Series

These colorful pieces feature a famous illustrated scroll named "Choju Jinbutsu Giga" which is a caricature picture scroll depicting anthropomorphic animals and their playfulness, dating from the mid-12th to mid-13th centuries. These designs from the picture scrolls are designated as a Japanese national treasure in Kozan-ji Temple in Kyoto. Please enjoy these humorous and playful works intricately depicted through Tosen Kiln's painting techniques.
View Kozan-ji Temple (Choju Giga) SeriesWind God and Thunder God Series

Powerful depictions of the "Wind God and Thunder God," a masterpiece by Tawaraya Sotatsu–a painter of the Edo period (c.1603-1867), is available to enjoy through tableware. Since ancient times, people in Japan have believed that the wind blows and thunder rumbles because of the presence of these two gods in the sky between heaven and earth. It is believed that the wind and thunder gods are beneficial for victory and business prosperity. Enjoy these hand painted works representative of Tosen Kiln's technique.