Onta Pottery 小鹿田焼

In the mountains of north-central Kyushu, near the town of Hita, you’ll find Onta, a small village where such unique pottery is made. This type of pottery is perhaps the best example of true folk art in Japan and is well-known for being both beautiful and useful. As well as producing wonderful organic ceramics, the pottery itself is of great interest.

The Beginning of Onta Pottery

The Daimyo (the feudal lords) in Chikuzen, Nagamasa Kuroda was dispatched to Korea alongside Hideyoshi Toyotomi, when he returned to Japan, he brought back with him a Korean Potter. This is the beginning of Onta pottery. The potter was called “Hachizan” and built his kiln on Mt. Takaroti in Nogata, Fukuoka Prefecture. His grandson, Hachiro, established a kiln for Koishiwara pottery. Furthermore, in the 18th century, the local governor of Hita invited the potter of Koishiwara “Sannemon Yanase” to Onta to share his techniques. Jubei Kurogi provided the capital funds and the Sakamoto family provided the land. As a result, Onta pottery was born.

More history of Onta Pottery is here.

The advance of Onta Pottery

Since the invention of Onta Pottery, it has been passed down from generation to generation and it endures today. Currently, 9 potters are crafting ceramic pottery using only family labor and continuing to preserve the unique style through traditional methods.

From the beginning of the Showa period, Soetsu Yanagi, the founder of the mingei folk art movement, and Shoji Hamada were widely introduced by world-renowned potter, Bernard Leach, and Onta Pottery was made known to the world.

In Showa 45 (1970), Onta Pottery was selected as an “Intangible Cultural Asset” in Heisei 7 (1995). Likewise, the Onta Yaki (Pottery) Technique Preservation Society received Preservation Group Certification.

The Characteristics of Onta Pottery

*No Machinery

Without using machines, Onta Pottery is created with a mortar powered by the flow of the river, a foot-operated pottery kick wheel, and a chambered climbing kiln that uses firewood.

*Handmade Tools

The spatula, trowel, hammering board used for modeling, the wood shaping plane for decorations, and the comb are all necessary tools for the endeavor designed to fit in hand.

*No Drawings

Unique designs such as brush marks, the jumping Kanna chattering tool, and using the fingers as sketching implements, as well as glaze designs, are part of the simple tastefulness characteristic of handcrafts that define Onta Pottery.

*No Potter Named

The Potter’s name is not listed on the work. Onta Pottery is a local brand that is crafted by all potters.