Readings

Iroe is a general term for overglaze enamels on ceramics. This process of adding color to already fired ware is also referred to as "akae," "uwae," or "nishiki."

Okinawan pottery, "Yachimun," is gaining popularity nationwide, captivating people with its rustic and warm aesthetic. With a desire to feature Yachimun in our ceramic select shop, "Studio1156," we recently visited Okinawa. Our goal was to see, touch, and experience the pottery firsthand, to determine "what kind of Yachimun we wanted to carry" and "what kind of pottery would suit Studio1156." As we toured several kilns, there were many things that left a strong impression on us, surprised us, and made us ponder. This time, along with our travelogue, I would like to share information on how to purchase and select Yachimun, and the current atmosphere of the region. Whether you're new to Yachimun or already a fan, I hope this provides helpful tips for discovering your perfect piece of pottery. What is Yachimun? What "Yachimun" means "Yachimun" means "pottery" in the Okinawan dialect. Representative Yachimun include Yuntanza-yaki and Tsuboya-yaki. It is characterized by its overall warm, plump form, and many pieces are adorned with vivid Okinawan colors such as "Gosu" (cobalt blue), "Ame" (amber), "Kuro" (black), and "Ao-gusuyar" (green). The charm of Yachimun also lies in its folk-artistic simplicity, seen in patterns like finger-drawn designs, arabesque patterns, and fish motifs. Where is Yachimun fired? The main production area is "Yachimun no Sato" in Yomitan Village, about an hour's drive north from Naha. Currently, 19 workshops are gathered here, making it known as the center of Yachimun. In addition, there are many kilns scattered along "Yachimun Street" in Tsuboya, Naha City, which is easily accessible to tourists, as well as on remote islands such as Ishigaki Island. Across Okinawa Prefecture, there seem to be approximately 70 to 100 active Yachimun kilns, both large and small. Compatibility with food You might ask, "Is Yachimun for Japanese food? Or Western?" But surprisingly, it's genre-agnostic and blends naturally with any style of cuisine, be it Japanese, Chinese, Okinawan, or Western. Its plump form and the warmth of its hand-painted designs don't interfere with the individuality of the food itself, but rather enhance it just right. Differences from other production areas like Arita-yaki and Mino-yaki Unlike Arita-yaki and Mino-yaki, which can be mass-produced consistently using molding, pad printing, and transfer techniques, each piece of Yachimun is individually shaped by a potter's wheel or slab technique, and all painting is done by hand. While gas kilns and electric kilns are often used for firing, a considerable number of Yachimun are still fired in traditional climbing kilns. Therefore, some pieces may inevitably show significant individual differences. However, that is precisely the charm of Yachimun. Its beauty lies not in "perfect uniformity," but in its "individuality," "warmth," and the "fluctuations of earth and handiwork." Each pottery producing region in Japan has its own strengths and weaknesses. At our ceramic select shop, "Studio1156," we strive to select a balanced range of pottery from other regions to complement these "differences in individuality." Discovery Story / Behind the Scenes of Procurement The Current State of Yachimun This was my first formal visit to a Yachimun artisan. Therefore, I strongly desired to see the current local situation with my own eyes. However, the main purpose of this trip was to procure Yachimun. Our goal was to acquire small plates (3-5 sun), small bowls, small donburi bowls, makai (rice bowls), chopstick rests, and other small items. I departed with the idea that, by the end of summer, we could feature Yachimun in our shop by gathering items from several kilns. However—. The current state of procurement and the difficulty of acquiring stock This trip was, frankly, very difficult. The reason was simple: We faced the reality that we "couldn't procure stock." Unlike regions where kilns produce and wholesalers handle distribution, creating an established "industrial system" like Arita-yaki or Mino-yaki, many Yachimun artisans still carefully uphold the philosophy of "beauty in utility and folk craft" advocated by figures like Soetsu Yanagi and Shoji Hamada. Furthermore, there is an unprecedented Yachimun boom right now. The "physical inability to keep up with production" was also a real situation we observed locally. Of course, our desire to handle pottery carefully and deliver it honestly to our customers remains unchanged. However, we do not want to make unreasonable demands on the artisans. That conviction also remains firm. I believe this conflict was the biggest theme of this trip. Nevertheless, we were fortunate enough to establish a connection with one kiln, allowing us to procure some items for our shop. We are truly grateful and delighted. We will continue preparing for our store so that we can soon introduce everyone to the pottery born from Okinawa's climate and human hands. Why is its popularity increasing? One major reason for the recent surge in Yachimun's popularity is undoubtedly its collaboration with BEAMS. In 2017, under the name "OKINAWAN MARKET," Yachimun gained widespread recognition among those who had previously been unaware of it, suddenly becoming a national phenomenon. Along with this, information spread through social media, gradually increasing demand from overseas. Selected shops and department stores also dramatically increased their active handling of Yachimun. Changes and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic Then, suddenly, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. Tourist numbers plummeted, and foot traffic to stores abruptly stopped. In addition, orders from hotels and restaurants ceased, eventually leading to a halt in kiln operations. It was at this point, I believe, that many kilns began to shift towards new sales channels, namely e-commerce (online sales). In online sales, there were not a few comments like "the image was significantly different," "it wasn't what I imagined," or "I want to return it," which surely confused artisans and made them struggle with how to respond. For Yachimun, which has variations in patterns and shapes, and where people traditionally enjoy choosing a piece by hand to see "which one they like" or "which one feels right," the impact of not being able to "see the actual item" during the pandemic was, I felt, significant. And now And now, with tourism fully recovered and inbound demand rising again, I feel that an era where real-world and e-commerce coexist in good balance has returned. The "trend" arrived, we went through the pandemic, and now the wave of inbound tourism—. The world of Yachimun, too, is gradually transforming within this current. There are kilns creating fun and free works for tourists, and young male and female artisans who are crafting modern pottery with a new aesthetic, featuring "minimalist," "matte glazes," and "Nordic styles." Meanwhile, kilns that carefully preserve the spirit of folk craft are still thriving. On this trip, I felt I was starkly confronted with the reality of a site where various thoughts and directions coexist. Summary of How to Buy Yachimun 1. Local purchase is still the best option If you have the opportunity to visit Okinawa, I highly recommend visiting the kilns and workshops directly. You can experience the feel, weight, and glaze colors that cannot be conveyed through photos or social media. ✔ Often the cheapest for the same item ✔ The joy of choosing while talking with the artisan ✔ A chance encounter with a unique piece Also, large pottery markets held several times a year, such as the "Tsuboya Pottery Festival" and the "Yomitan Yachimun Market," are highly recommended. Over 40 companies gather, and sometimes pieces that are usually not publicly displayed or hidden gems appear. Additionally, hotel gift shops often display tastefully selected pottery. The ease of shopping while sightseeing is also a great advantage. 2. Traveling sales and pop-up events outside the prefecture Recently, it seems that more kilns are holding limited-time sales (pop-ups) themselves in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. You can meet and talk directly with the artisans. Enjoy a "once-in-a-lifetime encounter" without traveling to the site. Popular kilns may require numbered tickets or advance reservations. 3. Purchase from kiln's social media and online shops Many kilns showcase and sell their works through Instagram and e-commerce sites. Each item is photographed individually, making its condition clear. Less likely to have discrepancies in texture or color from expectations. Many Yachimun items are also listed on personal trading platforms like Mercari. 4. Look in department stores, select shops, and galleries As Yachimun's popularity grows, its presence is expanding in department stores nationwide and in unique select shops and galleries. Major lifestyle stores like BEAMS, CLASKA, and TODAY’S SPECIAL are likely to have stock. Staff are knowledgeable and can provide background information on the kilns. Assurance of high quality and managed distribution. 5. Purchase at Studio1156 We have also started carrying Yachimun in our shop. You can view them below. To the Yachimun page The joy of choosing in person and the fun of searching online both have their own charms. I hope you can find a piece you love using a method that suits your lifestyle and timing.

Gosu refers to a traditional indigo pigment used for decorating ceramics.

This is a decorative ceramic technique where patterns are created by scratching, incising, or carving through a slip or glaze applied to the surface, exposing the underlying clay body or a different colored layer.

This is a general term for pottery and porcelain produced in Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture.

One of Japan's former provinces, it refers to the area spanning present-day Saga and Nagasaki Prefectures.

This is the process of refining clay from crushed mudstone.