AKAHADA  POTTERY
 
 
Akahada Pottery is produced at Mt. Akahada, Nara, of which soil is most suitable for pottery. Clay images were already created there in the early 1st century, as recorded in the ancient documents. In the later 16th century, potter Yokuro of Tokoname, Owari (the present Aichi Pref.) was invited there by Toyotomi Hidenaga, Chief Councillor of State, and began to make the pottery. Later, craftsman Nonomura Ninsei came from Kyoto and exerted his ingenuity to produce fine pottery. The feudal lords of the Koriyama clon of yamato (the present Nara Pref.) also contributed to protect the ceramic industry to promote the folk craft, and the fame of Akahada Pottery was greatly enhanced. In fact, Akahada was one of the seven famous potteries favored by Kobori Enshu, the master of the tea ceremony in the 17th century. The craftsman Kashiwaya Buhoe and potter Yamaguchi Nuizou were two outstanding figures of Akahada Pottery in the 19th century. Buhoe produced different finework with Akahada clay. Highly appreciated was his simple manner by which milk-white glazed Nara doils, incense cases, ornaments, etc. were created. To them belongs the credit of completing the foundation of the present Akahada Pottery based on the traditional manner.