Kyusu Tokoname
Honshudei

Tanikawa Jin 谷川仁

Master of fire, the award-winning potter Jin Tanikawa was born in the historic ceramic hub of Tokoname in 1952. After graduating from the Ceramics Department of Tokoname High School, he studied under the respected master, Seisen Mizuno (水野静仙, b.1928).

A practitioner of Senchadō – the Japanese Sencha tea ceremony – his work is celebrated for its precise functionality as well as traditional decorative techniques, notably Mogake (藻掛 "seaweed wrapping") and Hidasuki (緋襷 "fire cord"), where seaweed and rice straw respectively are wrapped around the unfired clay. During firing, the natural salt and minerals in the seaweed and straw react with the clay, leaving behind a unique, organic imprint.

Both techniques serve as a striking testament to his sensitive approach to fire and his deliberate engagement with chance – a process that renders every piece a truly one-of-a-kind creation.

Tokoname-Yaki 常滑焼

Pottery has been produced in the city of Tokoname, Aichi prefecture, as far back as the 12th century, and since 1976 has been protected as a Traditional Craft of Japan. Tokoname was the site of the largest and oldest of the legendary Rokkoyō: the “Six Ancient Kilns” of Japan, and is celebrated for its iron-rich Shudei "red clay" that turns a bright red after firing. When fired a second time in a reduction kiln, the red Shudei turns black – another characteristic colour of Tokoname-yaki. High-fired at temperatures of around 1100°C and left unglazed (Yakishime), this allows tannins in the tea to interact with the iron in the clay body, which is said to reduce astringency and highlight the sweetness of green teas. Another key feature of these Kyusu are the perfectly fitting lids, which are ground into the clay body after firing in a technique known as Suriawase.