Matsushiro ware

Tea bowl (chawan) in the style of Matsushiro ware, Nagano Prefecture, late Edo period (19th century). Stoneware with copper glaze, producing the characteristic blue-green surface.

Matsushiro ware (松代焼, Matsushiro-yaki) is a type of traditional Japanese pottery produced in Matsushiro, in Nagano Prefecture. The ware is particularly noted for its deep blue-green glaze, created through the use of copper oxide, which produces vivid and sometimes irregular effects on the surface. Matsushiro ware developed during the late Edo period and flourished as a regional craft closely tied to the castle town of Matsushiro.

History

The production of Matsushiro ware began in the early 19th century, supported by the Matsushiro Domain under the Sanada clan. Local potters experimented with glazes using copper, resulting in the distinctive blue-green coloration that became the hallmark of the ware.

During the late Edo period, Matsushiro ware gained popularity among local samurai families, townspeople, and temples, where it was used both for daily utensils and ceremonial vessels. Although never produced on the same scale as larger pottery centers, its unique style ensured its place in Japan’s regional ceramic traditions.

Characteristics

The most distinctive feature of Matsushiro ware is its glaze, which ranges from a translucent emerald green to a deeper, oceanic blue. The colors are achieved by applying a copper-based glaze that reacts during firing, often producing subtle gradients and natural flowing patterns.

Forms include tea bowls (chawan), sake cups, water jars, and everyday vessels. The wares typically combine functional shapes with artistic glazing, making them both practical and visually striking. Many surviving pieces display a rustic, slightly irregular quality, reflecting the influence of wabi-sabi aesthetics.

Modern Production

Matsushiro ware continues to be produced in limited quantities by local workshops in Nagano Prefecture. Efforts have been made to preserve the tradition, with modern potters recreating historical glazes while also experimenting with new firing techniques.

The ware remains a symbol of Matsushiro’s cultural identity, and exhibitions are occasionally held in Nagano to celebrate its ceramic heritage.

See also

• Japanese pottery and porcelain
• Edo period
• Nagano Prefecture
• Stoneware

References

• Cort, Louise Allison. Shigaraki, Potters’ Valley. Weatherhill, 1979.
• Nagano Prefectural Museum of History, Exhibition Notes on Regional Ceramics, 2005.