Kiyomizu ware

Bowl with arched handle & cherry blossom design, Kiyomizu ware, Edo period, 1700s AD, ceramic, overglaze enamel - Tokyo National Museum - Tokyo, Japan - DSC09488

Kiyomizu ware (清水焼, Kiyomizu-yaki) is a traditional Japanese pottery produced in the Kiyomizu district of Kyoto Prefecture. It is renowned for its delicate craftsmanship, vibrant overglaze enamel decoration, and artistic variety. Kiyomizu ware has been produced since the early Edo period and remains one of the most celebrated forms of Kyoto ceramics.

History

The production of Kiyomizu ware began in the early Edo period (17th century) near the Kiyomizu Temple area. Potters drew on techniques from other Kyoto kilns, including Awata ware and Seto, while developing distinctive forms and decorative styles suited to the tastes of Kyoto’s aristocracy and merchant class.

Kiyomizu ware was primarily used for tea utensils, tableware, and decorative objects. Its refined decoration and elegant forms made it highly prized by collectors and practitioners of the tea ceremony. Production expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries, incorporating new glazes, motifs, and artistic techniques.

Characteristics

Kiyomizu ware is characterized by several key features:

• Porcelain or fine stoneware body** – Smooth and durable, suitable for detailed painting.
• Overglaze enamel decoration** – Bright colors, including red, green, blue, and gold, applied in intricate patterns.
• Motifs – Floral designs, birds, landscapes, and geometric patterns, often combined harmoniously.
• Variety of forms – Bowls, plates, tea utensils, vases, and decorative objects with both functional and artistic purposes.
• Artistic innovation – Kiyomizu ware allows for a wide range of experimentation in glaze and design while maintaining traditional elegance.

The ware exemplifies the sophisticated aesthetic of Kyoto ceramics, blending utility with visual beauty.

Modern Production

Today, Kiyomizu ware continues to be produced by skilled artisans in Kyoto Prefecture. Contemporary production maintains traditional techniques while incorporating modern designs and forms for domestic and international markets. The ware remains highly valued for tea ceremonies, decorative collections, and functional tableware.

See also

• Japanese pottery and porcelain
• Awata ware
• Edo period
• Porcelain
• Kyoto Prefecture

References

• Moeran, Brian. Folk Art Potters of Japan: Beyond an Anthropology of Aesthetics. Routledge, 1997.
• Cort, Louise Allison. Seto and Mino Ceramics. Weatherhill, 1992.