Iga Ware

Iga ware was first established during the medieval era at the area around the Goinoki kiln site, located close to Makiyama in the ancient province of Iga (present day Mie prefecture). The area was rich in ceramic supplies—both clay and red pine for fuel—much like those used for Shigaraki ware to make jars, pots, and mortars.

Early Iga ware is generally referred to as “old Iga” (Ko-Iga). Such examples usually have wavelike patterns made by spatula scraping or stamped lattice patterns. Furthermore, many have a strong artistic thrust with evidence of distortion, green ash glaze, and drippings of iron glaze.

The Iga ware production died out with the end of Momoyama period (1573–1615). With the support of the Tōdō clan, however, everyday objects such as bowls, dishes, and pots began to be reproduced in Marubashira in the mid 18th century. Workshops such as Yasuke, Kyubē and Jyōhachi actively produced pots, which became the foundation of today's Iga ware tradition.

This climbing kiln with fifteen chambers was used from the start of production in 1832 up till 1965.

The surface texture of Iga ware comes about from the long firing at high temperatures whereby the ashes fall on the pots and turn a glassy green. Features such as ash glaze, black scorching, and cracks can all be seen as natural effects of the firing process. In actuality, Iga potter often calculate in the possibility of such effects from the beginning.

It is often said that there are “Handles on Iga, no handles on Shigaraki,” since the handle is almost the only difference that distinguishes the products of the two localities. Shigaraki and Iga, which are adjacent to each other, have had a close relationship since the medieval period. Today, Iga ware's connections are not limited to Shigaraki. As seen in this photograph, quite a few modern Iga wares have characteristics that tie them to Kyoto ware ceramics known as Kyō-yaki. The cup on the left is inspired by designs of Rinpa and the right is inspired by Kyō-yaki copies of Ming-dynasty blue and white porcelains.

In addition to dishes, many artistic Iga potters also produce tea bowls and other tea wares, striving to create new Iga ware pieces that rival the old Ko-Iga ceramics. In recent years, there has also been a focus on earthenware cooking pots (donabe). The clay used for Iga ware is highly fire-resistant and is therefore suitable for donabe, which are covered clay pots that can be placed directly over a burner to cook hot pots called nabe. A delicious nabe creates a relaxing communal meal that to be enjoyed together by friends and family.