
Tosen Kiln
Tosen Kiln embraces Kyoto’s traditional craftsmanship while adapting it for the modern era. Originally founded in 1868 as a Kiyomizu ware wholesaler, Tosen Kiln opened a ceramics production studio in 1944. Today, the kiln continues its legacy in Kyoto’s history-rich Gojo neighborhood.
Drawing inspiration from the precise wheel-throwing techniques and luminous paintings of Edo-period master potter Nonomura Ninsei, Tosen Kiln preserves this heritage while creating pieces that suit contemporary aesthetics.
Series
Majestic dragons soar across the porcelain, their five-clawed forms symbolizing power and fortune. This series captures the essence of Japanese-style painting, featuring the intricate motif of a dragon emerging from a misty, cloud-like background. Crafted with kyu-gosu, a rare blackish-blue pigment rediscovered through generations of tradition, the process demanded extensive trial and error to achieve its smooth gradations—a challenge beyond that of standard gosu. Each piece is meticulously hand-painted by a single artisan with over a decade of experience, blending strength with refined craftsmanship.

Experience the unique charm of Kyoto's celebrated produce with bowls and small plates from our Kyoto Vegetables Series. The distinct shapes and textures of seasonal Kyoto vegetables, such as Kamo eggplants and Manganji peppers, are beautifully expressed in the serene blue and white hues of sometsuke. Tosen Kiln's yellowish cream-white Kiyomizu ware enhances the rustic beauty of these designs. Bring a touch of Kyoto's tradition and natural bounty to your table with this exquisite collection.

Sakura
Springtime in Kyoto is adorned by a delicate tapestry of sakura petals and leaves. Among these blossoms, the weeping cherry trees, or Gion-zakura, hold a special place as emblematic of the city's unique atmosphere. Green and pink hues pop against the yellowish cream-white base, evoking images of leaves and blossoms gently swaying and drooping down gracefully. Immerse yourself in these intricate paintings that capture the essence of Kyoto's sakura.

Camellia
The Camellia series serves as a tribute to the refined underglaze painting techniques that symbolize the kiln's commitment to traditional aesthetics and craftsmanship. Masterfully brought to life by artists skilled in Japanese style painting, each piece in the series showcases the artisan Taniguchi's evolved Camellia design, featuring a harmonious blend of dark and light greens, and the unique raised and glossy finish of red and white petals. The Camellia series encapsulates a balance of simplicity and elegance, reflective of Kyoto's esteemed ceramic legacy.

Kozan-ji Temple's Choju Giga
These colorful pieces feature the designs of the famous illustrated scroll Choju Jinbutsu Giga. A caricature picture scroll, it depicts playful anthropomorphic animals and dates from the mid-twelfth to mid-thirteenth centuries. The picture scroll's designs are designated as a Japanese National Treasure of Kozan-ji Temple in Kyoto. Please enjoy these humorous and playful works through Tosen Kiln's skillful painting techniques.

Fujin Raijin
Enjoy powerful depictions from Fujin Raijin, a masterpiece by Tawaraya Sotatsu, a painter of the Edo period (1603–1868 CE). In Japanese mythology, the wind is said to blow and thunder to rumble because of the presence of these two gods, known in English as the wind god and the thunder god, in the skies between heaven and earth. Fujin and Raijin are also believed to bring good fortune in victory and business prosperity. These hand painted works are representative of Tosen Kiln’s craftsmanship.

The Tokusa series presents a fresh take on the traditional blue horsetail design by Tosen Kiln artisan Taniguchi. Infusing warmth and depth, Taniguchi has elegantly reimagined this pattern in two colors, enhancing the hand-drawn lines that stand in stark contrast to mass-produced printing. These meticulously painted lines gracefully complement the kiln's signature creamy-white bisque. Adding to the design's distinctiveness, intentional indents artfully punctuate the ceramic's surface, breaking away from conventional round forms.

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