KOBEIGAMA

About Kobeigama

Kobeigama Pottery was founded in 1804 and its tablewares were delivered as a purveyor to Shogun household to Edo Castle. Since then, we have continued to light its kiln for generations to produce numerous ceramics and porcelain works that have been in step with times.
During the long history of Kobeigama, it has been continuing to emphasize artistry, and Takuo Kato the sixth generation of the pottery was designated a living national treasure by Japanese Government.
The Mino Ceramic Village, which includes museum itself and surrounding buildings at Kobeigama, has been assigned with two-star destination in the Michelin Green Guide.

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Ceramicists and their works

he successive pottery owners as named Kobei every generation have always pursued new design and shapes, through trial and error, and challenged themselves to create beauty as ceramic artists.
These achievements have been highly evaluated in the nation wide and abroad, too.
A quest for excellence in technology and beauty.
The potter’s creativity is the philosophy of Kobeigama for every generation, and it has been purely and intensely passed on.

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Pottery

Kobei Kato, the fifth.

1893-1982
He made full use of a wide range of techniques, including Chinese ceramics such as Seiji(celadon), Tenmoku, Sometsuke(painting), Akae(red painting), and Kinrande(gold brocade), as well as techniques derived from Qianshan and Liang dynasty. He was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Gifu Prefecture in 1973.
He is the founder of the revitalization of the present-day Kohei Pottery.
He also served as the director of the Gifu Prefectural Pottery Research Institute for 23 years and was called "the Father of Mino Ceramic Ware" who worked on developing techniques and future generations’ training.
Takuo Kato, the sixth generation

1917-2005
He was fascinated by ancient Persian pottery, and succeeded in restoring the famous Lustreware pottery after many years of excavation and research. He produced his works that fused Persian and Japanese culture, including Seiji(celadon), Sansai(three color glazing), and Persian color paintings.
He was commissioned by the Imperial Household Agency to restore the Shosoin Sansai, and after nine years of research, he delivered the Sansai Tsuzumi-Do and Nisai-Bachi.
In 1995, he was designated as a National important intangible cultural property (a living national treasure).
Kobei Kato the Seventh

1945-
He creates three-dimensional works with his theme such as humanity and essence and has received high praise, including the highest awards at the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition and the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition.
In recent years, he has inherited the Sansai, the Persian pottery techniques of Takuo Kato and has created works with an abundance of modern sensibilities.
He has also been focusing on international cultural exchange with Iran through the use of lusterware.
Ryotaro Kato, the eighth generation

1974-
Facing Mino Momoyama pottery tradition, he built his kiln and is focusing on making tea bowls, especially pottery of Shino, Hikideguro, Oribe, and Kizeto.
He is also actively involved in works that combine calligraphy and pottery, and collaborations with different materials.
He is expected to lead the future of Potters in Mino.

Products of Kobeigama

Under the potter’s supervision, we produce our ceramics full of individuality and reflect successive generations’ style.
Each piece is hand-painted and handcrafted by skilled artisans who have received technical guidance, and each piece has its unique expression.
We are proud of our reputation as a traditional pottery manufacturer. All of us are dedicated to our works for your satisfaction using lifelong.

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Tour Information

We offer a variety of touring facilities and programs for visitors to deepen their interest in pottery.
Our main facilities for the tour are Main Building Gallery, Old Ceramic Museum and Craft Center. Also the Anagama Kiln, studios and experience pottery making are available as request.
Saloon and Tableware shop are also available for visitors to take a break and feel the history of Kobeigama.
The Mino Ceramic Village has been assigned with two-star as destination in the Michelin Green Guide and you will have unique experience.

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Access information

KOBEIGAMA

Address	4-124 Ichinokura-cho, Tajimi-shi, Gifu-ken, 507-0814 Japan
TEL	0572-22-3821
E-mail	info@koubei-gama.co.jp

Open	AM 9:00-PM 5:00 (weekdays, 1st and 3rd Saturdays) AM 10:00-PM 5:00 (Sundays, holidays, 2nd and 4th Saturdays)
Closed	Year-end and New Year's holidays, summer vacation, and other company holidays
Admission	General 300yen / High school or university students 150yen / Under secondary students Free (20 percent discount for groups of 20 or more) [Admission fee is not required for shoppers only]. ＜Ichinokura Sakazuki Art Museum combination ticket＞ General 600 yen / High school or university students 300 yen / Under secondary students Free [500 yen for a general group and 200 yen for a group of college and high school students (20 or more people)]

Reservation	Not required / Group booking required (please contact us at least 3 days in advance)
Parking	lot with a capacity of 22 cars *Large sightseeing buses can use the parking lot of the Ichinokura Sakazuki Museum of Art (5-minute walk).

Notice

About Kobeigama

Ceramicists and their works

Pottery

Kobei Kato, the fifth.

Takuo Kato, the sixth generation

Kobei Kato the Seventh

Ryotaro Kato, the eighth generation

Products of Kobeigama

Tour Information

Access information

KOBEIGAMA