Tamagawayaki

Update date: June 27, 2017

Image Tamagawa-yaki green tea bowl
Tamagawa-yaki green tea bowl

Image Flyer for promotion of Tamagawa ware
Promotional leaflet for Tamagawa ware

History of Tamagawa ware

Sakahama Koshoji Temple ( ) Near Enomoto ( ) The house has a collection of pottery called "Tamagawa-yaki" that was fired in this area in the late Edo period. The Enomoto family has been a farming family in Sakahama village for generations. Rihei ( ) ( Genroku ( ) Since the time of the 1950s, he has been making clay from the surrounding area during the off-season. Earthenware teapot ( ) Mortar and pestle Miscellaneous items ( ) It is said that they used to bake Shop name ( ) It was called "the fourth generation of Rihei ( ) He went to Seto and Kyoto to study pottery, mastering the local pottery-making techniques. Tenpo ( ) In 1834, he returned to Sakahama village and started making pottery in Inagi. Jade seal ( ) He started making Tamagawa-yaki, which he called his trademark, and did a brisk business. Shisui Enomoto ( ) And Chofuken Shisui ( ) I use the number.
According to a woodblock-printed flyer advertising Tamagawa-yaki that remains in the Enomoto family home, Daimaru Kawarayato ( ) We can see that they started firing their wares with clay from around the area, and took the "Tama" mark (meaning Tama District) on the roof tiles of Kokubunji Temple as their trademark. It also states that at the time, there were many fake Tamagawa wares on the market, and that the Enomoto family's wares were the originals. The advertisement includes a map showing directions to the Enomoto family's home.
When did Enomoto Shisui die? Keio ( ) This was in 1865, the first year of the Edo period, and Shisui's son also used the name Enomoto Shisui, so Tamagawa ware itself is thought to have been in circulation until the middle of the Meiji period. However, works from the Meiji period were made by collecting pottery from various countries. Imitation ( ) There are many works like this, and it is said that the works of the first Shisui are superior.

Works of Tamagawa ware

All of the Tamagawa-yaki that remains in the Enomoto family today are Raku ware ( ) in, Matcha tea bowl ( ) , Incense holder ( ) , pitcher, small plate, stamp, prototype, Box ( ) There are many matcha tea bowls, and they are the most numerous and are the core of his posthumous works. Fabric bleaching ( ) Shino pattern Iron painting ( ) The tea bowl (the center piece in the photo on the left above) is a representative example of this excellent work. Chinese bellflower ( ) The most representative are the shaped ones. Celadon ( ) This is a work of the wind. Also, a turtle-shaped incense container and Gosu ( ) There are also incense containers with painted circles. Other items include cranes, pine trees, and other items that were used to create the works. Arabesque pattern ( ) These were used in the kilns that produced the prototypes and works. Box ( ) and wooden bellows.
There are other excellent pieces in the possession of the Enomoto family as well. Tenpo ( ) 5 year old Ceramic plaque ( ) The book has a signature written by Shisui himself, and it was written when Shisui was away studying. Tenpo ( ) Returned to Sakahama Village in the winter of 5th year Ceramics ( ) This is a valuable piece that tells us the production period of Tamagawa ware. Mortar ( ) and Kinuta ( ) of Gosu ( ) and baked at low temperature. White Glaze ( ) of During ( ) Incense holder ( ) remains. Box inscription ( ) The inscription is by Enomoto Shisui and has a jade seal. Signature ( ) Also, Akaraku ware ( ) Large Lion-shaped incense burner ( ) It is a powerfully crafted masterpiece.
Tamagawa-yaki that was exported overseas is also known. It was brought back to America by Dr. E.S. Morse, who is known for laying the foundations of modern archaeology, and five pieces of Tamagawa-yaki are currently stored in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Looking at the collection catalog, one large lion-shaped incense burner, two matcha tea bowls, and two incense containers are listed.