View from Funaki Kiln in Fujina

The history of the Funaki family is also the history of Fujina Ware, boasting about 300 years. Around mid-Edo period Funaki Yojibei Muramasa relocated to Fujina, where his three children each independently established their own potteries. This was the beginning of Fujina Ware. The Funaki Kiln today was a branch from one of the three potteries and opened in 1845. Beginning with Funaki Heibei as the first generation, followed by second-generation Asatarō, third-generation Asatarō Unbei, and onto fourth-generation Michitada in the Taishō period. During the Edo period sea shipment was the main method of distributing commodities. The Lake Shinji cove where Funaki Kiln is located was a port from which pottery and ceramic wares made at Funaki Kiln were transported to the rest of Japan.