Yanase Motohisa pottery

history

Yanase San’emon (柳瀬三右衛門), the founder of this pottery, started Onta ware with two other potters in 1705. The eighth-generation owner learned Suiboku-ga (ink painting) and applied it to his potteries. Such intricately painted designs are rare for Onta pottery. The family has been favouring hand-building (i.e. creating forms without the use of a pottery wheel) over generations.

yanase motohisa

The fourteenth generation owner of the pottery. He started his career at the age of 20 and has taken over the position of the main potter in the family in January 2021 when he turned 41. He has certainly taken over the preciseness of the Yanase’s and has been adding modernity while preserving the beauty of traditional Onta pottery.

The thirteenth generation owner of the pottery and well known for his precise techniques and beautiful green colour. He has recently stepped down from his position as the main owner but is still vigorously making pottery. He will retire when his grandson starts getting involved in the pottery production.