Iga ware

Iga Flower Vessel LACMA M.2009.52 (1 of 3)

Iga ware (伊賀焼, Iga-yaki) is a traditional Japanese stoneware produced in and around the city of Iga, Mie Prefecture. Known for its rugged texture, natural ash glazes, and fire-scarred surfaces, Iga ware is one of Japan’s most celebrated examples of rustic pottery used historically for tea utensils, cooking vessels, and flower vases.

History

The origins of Iga ware date back to the late Heian period (12th century), when local clay rich in fine silica was first used for everyday pottery. During the Momoyama period (late 16th century), Iga kilns reached artistic prominence, producing pieces favored by tea masters for the newly emerging wabi-cha style of tea ceremony.

Under the patronage of warlords such as Tsutsui Sadatsugu and Furuta Oribe, Iga potters developed a distinct aesthetic emphasizing irregularity, natural beauty, and the expressive effects of wood firing. The long, high-temperature firings in anagama (tunnel kilns) produced natural ash deposits, accidental glaze drips, and subtle color variations that became central to Iga ware’s character.

Characteristics

Iga ware is stoneware, notable for:

• Durable, coarse-textured clay containing feldspar and quartz, which vitrifies strongly in high heat.
• Natural ash glazing created during long wood firings.
• Scar-like marks (koge) from direct contact with flames.
• Warped shapes and asymmetry valued as expressions of wabi-sabi.

Traditional Iga ware often includes mizusashi (water jars), kaki (flower vases), chawan (tea bowls), and donabe (earthen cooking pots). The donabe in particular remains a widely used and popular item today, valued for its heat resistance and ability to enhance the flavor of food.

Modern Development

Many kilns in Iga continue to operate, preserving centuries-old techniques while adapting to contemporary design. The Iga region is also home to the Iga Pottery Festival, where traditional and modern works are exhibited and sold.

Iga ware was officially designated a Traditional Craft of Japan in 1982 by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

See also

• Shigaraki ware
• Seto ware
• Japanese tea ceremony
• Wabi-sabi

References

• Japan Traditional Kōgei Association. Iga-yaki (Iga ware).
• Mie Prefecture Cultural Heritage Database.
• Louise Cort, Shigaraki, Potters’ Valley.
• Yanagi Sōetsu, The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty.