"Benikase" Water Jar, Asahi ware

Today, the Asahi kiln produces both stoneware and porcelain pieces. The stoneware pieces made are mainly of a style known as gohon, which has characteristic faint, red spots—the natural result of a chemical reaction that occurs when iron contained in the clay is fired in the kiln. At Asahi kiln the degree of the color and the patterns are divided into two categories, called hanshi and kase. In the case of ceramic pieces the kiln mainly produces sencha teacups and hōhin (handle-less Japanese tea pots). As with the stoneware, the porcelain pieces also don vibrant glazes that turn red, green, yellow, and other colors as a result of chemical reactions during firing.