Water Jar, Shigaraki ware

In 1930, a shard from a Momoyama period Shino tea bowl was discovered at the old kiln site of Mutagahora in Kani City, Gifu Prefecture, opening up a new understanding of ceramic history and raising interest in old wares. Craftsmen from every area were charmed by the Momoyama pottery and began to recreate old pieces. Two artisans in Shigaraki also sought to reproduce old Shigaraki ware. They were the third generation Rakusai Takahashi (1898-1976) and the fourth generation
Naokata Ueda (1909-1975). The high-fired ceramic ware in Momoyama style that they made was called hechimon, and it went essentially unnoticed by the local people. In 1963, Takahashi and Ueda were designated Intangible Cultural Property Preservers of Shigaraki Techniques for their production of special Shigaraki ware that incorporated the reproduction of early techniques.Their
activities influenced those that followed them.