Founded in 1804 as the Official pottery of Edo Castle
Kobei Kato the first founded Kobeigama in 1804 in Ichinokura, Tajimi and it became the official pottery for blue painting tableware for the Edo Castle. Following in the footsteps of the second generation, who worked on the masterpiece of fine and elegant Sometsuke (blue painting); The third generation, who immersed himself in the study of Chinese Xuande painting; and the fourth generation, who was a masters of the art. Kobei the fifth (1893-1982) was a specialist in Chinese style ceramics, including Seiji (celadon), Kinrande(gold over glazes paintings), Sometsuke(cobalt underglaze painting), Akae(red painting), and tenmoku. He produced numerous masterpieces using a wide range of techniques, including those of the Kenzan (QianShan) and the Rityou (Lee dynasty), and he created the present style of Kobeigama.
Takuo Kato, the sixth generation, produced a living national treasure.
After many years of research, Takuo Kato the Sixth (1917-2005) restored Persian ceramics and Shosoin Sansai techniques and produced works that combined tradition and originality, such as lusterware, Aoyu(blue glaze), Sansai, and Persian color paintings. For these achievements, he was designated a living national treasure. These Persian ceramic techniques were passed on to Kobei Kato VII, who developed his contemporary style. Kato Ryotaro, the eighth generation is challenging in the tradition of Mino Momoyama pottery seriously. Under the guidance of Kobei VII and Ryotaro, the eighth generation, more than twenty skilled artisans are working to create elegant Japanese tableware.
Assigned with the 2-star in the Michelin Green Guide
At the Kobeigama, we offer various exhibitions, pottery experience workshops, and other activities to help visitors become familiar with Mino pottery.
Since 2009, the Michelin Green Guide, a guidebook to France's historical tourist attractions, has awarded Kobeigama a 2-star rating. The guide recommends it as "worth a detour" when you are in the area.
Firing the Anagama for five days and night.
There is Semi-above ground anagama kiln that you can see from the Japanese style living room of the Museum of Old Ceramics.
This kiln is in the Momoyama period style and was recreated and built by Takuo Kato in 1973. Even now, Ryotaro Kato is using the kiln several times a year.The kiln is put the fire on for Shino, Setoguro, Kiseto, etc.
The other small anagama kiln was designed and built by Ryotaro Kato in 2018 specially made for firing Setoguro.
