A keen eye for ceramics led to the birthplace of Karatsu ware.

The kiln is located just below Koyonomori Park. Mr. Minamimori was born and raised in Kyota and Nara. Influenced by his parents and family who were afficionados of tea and mingei, he took an interest in ceramics from an early age.

His first job after school brought him to Nagasaki, and he spent his weekends and holidays visiting the many kiln ruin sites. It was at this time that he first had the dream of one day making pottery in the Karatsu area. At 57 he retired and settled in Kitahata. Through years of study of pot shards and printed resources, with scholarly associations and research groups, he has slowly acquired the knowledge to make his work his own.

Learning from old kilns and nature

Karatsu tradition is the core of Mr. Minamimori's work. He collects the sandy clay of the Kishidake area and prepares it himself, then fires in a climbing kiln. He makes mostly tableware, sake ware, and vessels for flower arranging and tea ceremony.

Karatsu tradition is the core of Mr. Minamimori's work. He collects the sandy clay of the Kishidake area and prepares it himself, then fires in a climbing kiln. He makes mostly tableware, sake ware, and vessels for flower arranging and tea ceremony.