About Meizan Kiln
Our Vision
At Meizan, we create pottery that honors centuries of tradition while finding its place in modern life.
Each piece is handmade, embracing the character of natural materials and the unique touch of every artisan.
Our collections are designed not only to serve a purpose in daily living but also to harmonize with the look and rhythm of your home.
By sending our work out into the world, we hope it brings a small moment of happiness to your everyday life.
Our History
1622
The Tea Jar Maker Who Started It All
In 1622, the second Edo Shogun, Hidetada Tokugawa, commissioned a special Shigaraki tea jar known as a koshishiro chatsubo.
The process of making such jars was extremely demanding—only one in a hundred pieces was considered worthy to be presented to the shogun.
Among the few artisans capable of this work was Isuke Ishino, our earliest known ancestor, who was honored with the title of Tea Jar Master.
1810
Pottery for a Korean Delegation
In 1810, a Korean delegation visited Japan, and fine tableware was required for an official banquet.
Surviving records show that Ihei Ishino was entrusted with producing over 300 pieces for the occasion.
These documents detail the exact sizes, shapes, and numbers of the pottery ordered, highlighting both the precision and trust placed in our workshop.
1910s
Entering Modern Times
During the Taisho era (1912–1926), the Namakoyu Hibachi, a ceramic brazier, became widely popular. To meet the growing demand, Satozo Ishino and his fellow craftsmen invented a potter’s wheel machine that made use of plaster molds for efficient production.
Following the war, Akira Ishino continued the family’s legacy, guiding the kiln through its period of rebuilding and renewal.
Today
Carrying Our Craft Forward
Now in its 9th generation, Meizan continues to produce Shigaraki ware with techniques and knowledge passed down through the centuries.
While we preserve this heritage, we also adapt to the needs of modern life—creating pottery that carries tradition into the future.
Inside the Workshop
Skilled Craftsmanship
With years of experience making a variety of pottery, from tableware and vases to large decorative pieces, our artisans possess a rare level of skill and knowledge.
It is the result of countless days spent working with clay, refining our techniques through steady, hands-on practice.
Handcrafted, One by One
Each piece is carefully made by hand by our skilled artisans.
Every delicate process relies on the craftsman’s trained fingertips — the feel of the clay and the intuition developed through years of experience.
Though produced to the same standards, no two pieces are ever exactly alike.
Subtle differences in shape and expression give each work its own quiet depth and character.
Careful Quality Checks and Shipments
From loading and unloading the kiln to firing, quality inspection, and shipping — these final steps are among the most important in bringing our pottery to you.
With a sincere commitment to quality and our customers, each piece is thoroughly checked before it leaves our hands.
Only items that pass this careful inspection are delivered, with care, to customers all around the world through our online store.
About Ogama
Since 2010, our gallery and shop Ogama has been a place where visitors can experience Shigaraki pottery in its birthplace. Set beside a historic climbing kiln (noborigama), Ogama offers more than a shop, it is a living encounter with our craft.
Shop & Gallery
Browse and handle not only Meizan pieces, but also works by other local artists. Let a piece speak to your hand and your heart.
Pottery Classes
Create your own work under the guidance of our experienced artisan, surrounded by the history and presence of Shigaraki ware.
Guesthouse
Stay overnight and enjoy cooking and dining with Shigaraki pottery in a fully equipped kitchen—a delight for any home cook who wishes to live with our craft.
Ogama is more than a destination; it is a place to connect with the quiet charm of our historic pottery town and the enduring spirit of handcraft that continues to this day. it into the future—continuing to weave new stories of the town alongside the kiln itself.
