Ohi ware

Hand-molded clay with translucent amber glaze, traditionally crafted for the Japanese tea ceremony. Characterized by its warmth, lightness, and wabi-sabi aesthetics, Ohi ware has been produced by successive generations of the Ohi family in Kanazawa for over 350 years.

🏛️ National Cultural Property
This craft is recognized as an official cultural property at the national level.

🌿 Living Tradition
This craft continues to be practiced today and remains part of the community’s cultural life.

🔔 Ritual / Ceremonial Craft
This craft is traditionally used in rituals, ceremonies, or spiritual practices.

Ohi ware (大樋焼, Ohi-yaki) is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally produced in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is especially known for its use in the Japanese tea ceremony, particularly for making tea bowls (chawan). Ohi ware is characterized by its soft, amber-colored glaze and hand-molded forms, which are shaped without the use of a potter’s wheel.

History

Ohi ware originated in the late 17th century during the Edo period. It was first created by Ohi Chozaemon, a potter who came to Kanazawa at the invitation of the tea master Senso Soshitsu, the fourth generation head of the Urasenke school of tea. Chozaemon adapted techniques from Raku ware to develop a distinctive local pottery tradition. The ware took its name from the Ohi district of Kanazawa, where Chozaemon settled and established his kiln.

Since then, the Ohi family has continued to produce Ohi ware for over 350 years, passing down the techniques from generation to generation. The current 11th-generation head, Ohi Toshio Chozaemon, continues to create works and promote the tradition internationally.

Characteristics

Ohi ware is strongly associated with the aesthetics of wabi-sabi, emphasizing simplicity, warmth, and natural imperfection. Its main features include:

• Hand-molded forms – pieces are shaped entirely by hand, without the use of a potter’s wheel.
• Amber glaze – the distinctive translucent amber or honey-colored glaze is created by applying natural materials and firing at relatively low temperatures.
• Tea utensils – most Ohi ware consists of items for the tea ceremony, including chawan (tea bowls), kama (kettles), and incense containers.
• **Lightness and softness** – the clay body is unusually light, with a texture and warmth that is appreciated when held.

Cultural significance

Ohi ware is closely linked to the practice of the Japanese tea ceremony and the philosophy of chanoyu. Its association with the Urasenke tradition helped establish it as one of the representative tea ceramics of Japan. Ohi ware is not mass-produced; each piece is individually crafted, reflecting both the tradition of the Ohi family and the individuality of the artist.

Works of Ohi ware are held in major museums in Japan and abroad, and the pottery continues to be highly regarded by tea practitioners, collectors, and cultural institutions.

See also

• Japanese pottery and porcelain
• Raku ware
• Kaga Province
• Tea ceremony

References

• Cort, Louise Allison. Seto and Mino Ceramics. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 1992.
• Ohi Museum, Kanazawa.
• Varley, Paul. Japanese Culture. University of Hawaii Press, 2000.