Once the rainy season is over, summer will finally arrive in earnest.
The blue, light blue, and white colors are cooling to the eye, and are a summer tradition.
The Sazanami series of Oda Ceramic ware is also useful for serving soba or somen noodles, a summer staple.
This series is especially popular in our store from early summer to early fall.
Oda Pottery was founded in 1921 in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, the production center of Mino ware.
Since then, the company has been producing white porcelain ware in this area for about 100 years.
Since the early Meiji period, Mizunami City has flourished as one of the world's leading white porcelain production centers by producing and exporting Western tableware to Europe and the United States.
Today, more than 50% of the tableware produced in Japan is Mino ware.
Let's take a look at the history of Mino ware, which has become one of Japan's three major ceramics and a familiar everyday utensil on the tables of modern Japanese people.
History of Mino Ceramics (1) Heian Period
The history of pottery in the area around Mizunami City in eastern Gifu Prefecture is long, dating back to the Heian Period (794-1185).
This area is described in an old book as “the land of pottery tribute” because pottery from this region and time period (including the present) was produced as a tribute to noblemen.
Many old kiln sites from that period still remain in various parts of the Mino region.
History of Mino Ware (2) Muromachi Period
In the late Muromachi Period (1492-1569), the time finally came for the establishment of this unique “Mino ware”.
Kato Saemon-no-Kagesunobu moved from Musashi Province (present-day Saitama Prefecture) to the pottery town of Okawa, where he opened the Okawa Kiln.
This event is said to be the origin of Mino ware.
In later times, the guardian dogs were made, modeled after the work of the fourth generation Hashiba Yozaemon Kagesuke of the Okawa Kiln.
It has become a famous sightseeing spot in Mizunami City and is even registered in the Guinness Book of Records for its gigantic size.
History of Mino Ware (3): Momoyama Period
Mino ware flourished during the Momoyama Period (1568-1600) under the reigns of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The popularity of the tea ceremony, led by Sen no Rikyu and Furuta Oribe, also encouraged the development of various traditional craft techniques that have survived to the present day.
During this period, it became possible for the first time to add brush strokes to patterns, and innovative designs were created.
After the span of time lasting from Kagenobu I to Kageyoshi IV, a “red seal” was given by Oda Nobunaga.
Under the protective policy of the powerful, Mino ware built its foundation.
History of Mino Ware (4) Edo Period
Although Mino ware seemed to have become established, it gradually declined during the Edo period (1603-1868).
The Edo period (1603-1868) saw this gradual decline of due to the shift in tastes and introduction of wabi and sabi by Enshu Kobori, who succeeded to the tea ceremony.
One theory is that Mino ware was regarded as a luxury item due to the frugal and thrifty policies of the shogunate.
However, an opportunity came again in the mid-Edo period. Due to the increase in the population of Edo, there was a large demand for tableware for use in the daily lives of the common people.
From then on, the production of tableware for daily use became the main focus and was distributed throughout the country.
History of Mino Ceramic Ware (5): Meiji Era to the Present Day
During the Meiji Period (1868-1912), the scale of the industry expanded.
With the wave of reforms during the Meiji Restoration, restrictions were abolished, allowing free operation throughout the country.
Manufacturers also succeeded in developing a system of division of labor by product, which enabled production at lower cost.
Incidentally, the establishment of this division of labor system has enabled the establishment of a new business model that is still in use today in the neighboring cities of Tajimi, Toki, and Mizunami.
The establishment of this division of labor system has led to the subdivision of craftsmanship in each of these three neighboring areas. Mizunami City is in charge of Japanese and Western tableware and new ceramics.
During the Taisho era (1912-1926), mechanization became more and more widespread, and by the early Showa era (1926-1989), Mino ware production technology had progressed to an advanced level.
Demand for high-end products, in addition to tableware for daily use, also increased.
And now, promoted as “Made in Japan Mino ware”, these products’ quality and technical capabilities are highly evaluated from overseas —
Mino ware is spreading beyond the sea to the world.
In this way, behind the history of the development of Mino ware, one cannot help but feel the existence of the people who have been experimenting to respond to the trends, needs, and currents of the world in each era.
Continuously Evolving to Meet Modern Lifestyles
Over its long history of more than 1,000 years, Mino Ceramic Ware has continued to evolve, incorporating new techniques and designs alongside inherited traditional techniques.
The variety of Mino ware is its greatest feature.
People love its durability, ease of use, and familiarity that blends into daily life, even in the modern age.
The Sazanami series of Oda Pottery is one such Mino ware manufacturer.
While using the traditional “shinogi” technique, the series has a modern design that fits in well with contemporary life.
The pale blue and white colors are reminiscent of the name “Sazanami” (meaning “small waves”, or “ripples”) and are perfect for both everyday use and entertaining at the summer table.
→Sazanami Choko Cup(Lid with a small plate) 8.5cm
