Kashiwa Kiln, established in 1965 in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture
The glaze paints the picture.
A unique landscape painted by the kiln's flames, clay, and glaze.
The glaze paints its own picture A one-of-a-kind landscape shaped by flame, clay, and glaze in the kiln.
About KASHIWACRAFT
KASHIWACRAFT is a pottery factory founded in 1965 in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, which is one of the six ancient kilns in Japan.
Since our founding, we have continued to create warm ceramics while cherishing the "Gaba casting method" of manufacturing.
The original red clay mixture, which the founder arrived at after much trial and error, and the glaze, which is adjusted to create unevenness in the firing depending on how the flame hits the pot.
During the firing process, slight distortions occur in the clay and the glaze takes on an appearance that is almost like a painting.
Even if fired in the same kiln, the finished product will not be the same - this fluctuation brought about by chance is the great charm of Kashiwa Kiln.
It has a soft texture that retains the marks of handwork, and a flavor that deepens with time.
"What was new becomes old over time, and what was old feels new again."
We treasure the beauty that develops during these changes, and we create each piece with care, hoping that it will become a part of your life for a long time.
HISTORY
The beginning of Kashiwa kiln
Influenced by the Golden Age of Scandinavian Design in the 1960s, small workshops using the casting method sprang up one after another in Seto.
The founder of Kashiwagama, Hisayuki Iwatsuki, was also deeply inspired by Scandinavian styles, including the works of Finnish designer Kaj Franck, and in 1965, he opened his own kiln in Higashido, Seto City.
Hisayuki Iwatsuki aspired to create "enduring designs that can be made continuously."
To realize this vision, he personally worked on the designs and prototypes, focusing on small-lot repeated production using the casting method, and began his journey in manufacturing.
― OEM with Famous Companies
At the time of its founding, white porcelain novelties (decorative ornaments) were in vogue in the Seto region, but Kashiwagama deliberately chose to use red clay and created animal-themed ornaments that made use of the subtle distortions in the clay and the glaze changes that occur during reduction firing.
This unique style caught the attention of a trading company in Nagoya, and export orders to the U.S. West Coast and Northern Europe surged, leading to OEM production with well-known companies.
However, following the Plaza Accord in 1985, the sudden appreciation of the yen put the export business in a difficult position, forcing many potteries in Seto to close.
In the midst of this, Kashiwagama shifted its focus to domestic products using the casting method and continued its business.
While continuing to work on OEM projects with young designers and leading companies both domestically and internationally, Kashiwagama has maintained the same integrated production system with a small team since its founding, handling everything in-house, from design to prototype creation, casting, glazing, firing, and packaging/shipping.
― Our Greatest Characteristic
In 2006, the founder’s son, Hisato Iwatsuki, took over as the second generation. While preserving the unique blend of red clay and glaze, the casting method, and reduction firing techniques passed down from the first generation, he also focused on developing new animal ornaments and flower vase designs.
The intricate relief patterns that are Kashiwagama’s greatest feature have been passed down while being updated to align with modern sensibilities, and the company continues to quietly craft products that are loved across generations.
— The unique character of Kashiwa Kiln
The Passion for Crafting
― The Unique Character of Kashiwagama
The identity of Kashiwagama lies in the "casting method," "clay," and "glaze."
The complex casting method, which brings together the skills of various artisans, is expressed through unique clay and glaze.
The "clay" used at Kashiwagama is soft and slowly distorts as it progresses toward completion. This clay mixture was perfected by the founder after many trials and errors.
This ambiance is preserved by the second generation, who continues to inherit the glaze and methods from the first generation. The subtle distortions that emerge over time bring a warmth to the pieces, like hand-drawn lines.
Kashiwagama's glaze is designed to create unevenness in the firing process. Even when placed in the same kiln, the way the flame touches the piece changes its expression.
The harmony between the red clay and the glaze creates a unique texture. The matte feel and neutral colors create a warm atmosphere.
The blend of clay and glaze is the foundation of Kashiwagama. The uneven firing, color variations, and distortions are the characteristics that define Kashiwagama.
The fact that each piece is different is what makes it interesting, and these individual differences create a special feeling.
This is our greatest feature.
― The Beauty of Aging Over Time
Since its founding, Kashiwagama has continued to use the same methods, and the second generation is working on new designs and reviving designs from the early days of the company.
What was once new becomes old over time, and what was old feels new again.
We protect, create, and nurture... The beauty of aging over time is expressed at Kashiwagama.
DESIGN
Designs that can only be created with the red clay and glaze of Kashiwa Kiln
Kashiwagama, founded in 1965 in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture.
At the time, it was the golden age of Scandinavian design, and a movement began among young artists in Seto to establish small workshops producing small lots using the "casting method."
The founder of Kashiwagama, Hisayuki Iwatsuki, was one of those strongly influenced by Finnish designer Kaj Franck.
― Complex Craftsmanship that Brings Together the Skills of Artisans
The identity of Kashiwagama lies in its casting method. The process begins by creating a model from clay and plaster, and then repeating the process three times to finally create a mold for mass production. This is a complex method that brings together the skills of artisans.
The clay used at Kashiwagama is soft, and it slowly distorts until completion. This clay, sourced from Seto, was carefully formulated by the founder after much trial and error. The subtle distortions that occur over time add a warm, hand-drawn line-like charm to the piece, making the distortions feel pleasant.
The unique glaze, developed over approximately two years, is designed to accentuate the relief patterns through uneven firing and charring. The texture created by the compatibility between the red clay and glaze, along with its matte feel and warm, neutral tones, creates a unique and warm atmosphere. Each piece, fired with slight variations in flame, temperature, humidity, and season, results in a one-of-a-kind creation—an irreplaceable work.
― Our Greatest Characteristic
The blend of clay and glaze is the foundation of Kashiwagama. The uneven firing and distortions are the characteristics of Kashiwagama.
The fact that each piece is different is what makes it interesting, and it is the individual differences that give each piece a sense of uniqueness and specialness.
This is our greatest feature.
With the materials and methods passed down from the founding generation, the second generation is also working on developing new designs and reviving the original designs from the early days.
We protect, create, and nurture. We express the beauty of aging over time.
TRADITION
The Will to Craft, Passed Down through Kashiwagama
― The Heart to Love and Continue Crafting the Same Thing for a Long Time
The origin of Kashiwagama begins with the first-generation founder, Hisayuki Iwatsuki, who moved to Seto to pursue a career as a ceramic artist.
Initially, Hisayuki worked for a novelty manufacturer for overseas markets, learning the basics of mold making.
At the age of 26, he became independent and established his workshop in Higashido, Seto City.
During an era influenced by the golden age of Scandinavian design, many small workshops were established using the "casting method" for small-lot production.
Seto was in the height of its white porcelain novelty production, but Hisayuki aimed to create novelties using red clay and glazes that would change during reduction firing, incorporating subtle distortions in the clay.
He researched the blend of clay and glaze while creating pieces he loved.
Later, his work caught the attention of a trading company, and export orders to the U.S. West Coast and Europe surged.
The sensibilities acquired through these exports continue to thrive today as a design strength that merges Japanese tradition with Western culture.
Following the Plaza Accord and the effects of the bubble economy, domestic demand fluctuated multiple times.
However, Hisayuki resonated with the European culture of "loving and continuing to craft the same thing for a long time" and remained true to his style, never swayed by fleeting trends.
― Craftsmanship
In 2006, Hisato Iwatsuki, the founder's son, took over as the second generation.
He continues to inherit the unique blend of red clay and glaze, the casting method, and reduction firing techniques. Having studied interior design, Hisato now focuses on expressing objects that blend harmoniously with living spaces, much like architecture in the urban landscape. He develops new pieces such as animal-themed ornaments and flower vases with a deformed, artistic twist.
Kashiwagama uses plaster molds, enabling the production of complex repetitive shapes. Even in today's digital society, they continue to focus on the warmth of handcraftsmanship.
Like European culture, which cherishes and continues to use old things, Kashiwagama aims to create pieces that allow one to enjoy the beauty of aging over time, keeping a sense of attachment. They hope that each piece will feel like a comforting presence in one's daily life, as if animals are gently breathing in the forest.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
Technology and Materials
A precise calculation that creates distortions.
This phrase symbolizes the Craftsmanship (technology and materials) of Kashiwagama.
Using the handcraft-based casting method, we even calculate the subtle distortions and inconsistencies that arise during the manufacturing process as part of the piece's character. In mass production, uniformity is typically required, but at Kashiwagama, we intentionally leave fluctuations and distortions, allowing each piece to have its own unique expression and warmth.
The process of casting itself is a culmination of craftsmanship.
A model is first created from clay and plaster, and from that model, a plaster mold is made to create the master mold.
Next, plaster is poured into the master mold to create a case, which is the mold used for shaping the product.
Finally, the product-shaping mold is completed, requiring a total of three mold-making steps, making this a very time-consuming and complex process.
Kashiwagama continues to value and pass down the commitment to materials that has been in place since the company’s founding. The soft red clay, found locally in Seto, was perfected by the founder after many trials and errors. This red clay has been passed down to the second generation, and during firing, it slowly distorts, giving each piece a unique warmth, like hand-drawn lines.
Additionally, the glaze, which took about two years to develop, is a unique feature of Kashiwagama. A reduction firing technique is used in the kiln, and the glaze is intentionally adjusted to create unevenness and charring. Even when fired in the same kiln, the color and appearance of each piece differ depending on the flame's exposure, temperature, and humidity, ensuring that no two pieces are identical. The unique texture created by the harmony of red clay and glaze, combined with the matte texture and soft, neutral colors, gives the glaze a painterly quality, resulting in a complex and deep expression not found in mass-produced products.
Even in today’s age, where efficiency and precision are emphasized, Kashiwagama places the greatest value on the warmth of handcrafting. While the ability to consistently produce complex shapes using plaster molds is in place, each piece is still carefully and meticulously made by hand until the very end. This is why each work carries a gentle expression and individuality, adding a subtle warmth to the modern life filled with digital technology.
METHOD
What is the casting method?
The foundation of Kashiwa Kiln's craftsmanship is the gaba casting method.
Liquid clay called slip is poured into a plaster mold, and layers of clay are gradually built up inside the mold to create the shape. The shaping is done while taking into account the season, temperature, and the condition of the clay. After removing it from the mold, any excess clay is scraped off with a curved tool, and the surface is carefully wiped with a damp cloth to finish it off.
This delicate handiwork creates a soft, three-dimensional feel and a warm, inviting expression.
We are able to produce approximately 80,000 units per year, and we value both the charm of handcrafted work and consistent production.
LOCATION
The Original Scenery of Seto, the Thousand-Year Ceramic Capital The Kamagaki no Komichi Path
ーHigashido District (Origin of the Name "Kashiwagama")
Behind the workshop, there is a woodland of Kuni and Konara oak trees, and in the autumn, acorns fall and children happily gather them. The name "Kashiwa" for the kiln was derived from these acorns. Surrounded by the natural forest and clay (Sue-Tuchi), Kashiwagama continues to face its ceramic work every day, quietly breathing with the memories of the land that has been present for a thousand years.
ーThe Kamagaki no Komichi Path
Seto City in Aichi Prefecture is known as one of the "Six Old Kilns of Japan," where ceramic production has continued from the medieval period to the present. Seto pottery boasts a history of over 1000 years and has long led Japan's pottery industry. The term "Setomono," which refers to pottery in general, also originates from Seto, and Seto's ceramics industry is still recognized both domestically and internationally.
The workshop of Kashiwagama is located in Higashido (Horamachi) in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, a region that once flourished with many potteries and was bustling as a pottery town. Today, only a few potteries remain, but the "Kamagaki no Komichi" (Kiln Wall Path) quietly continues along the streets.
"Kamagaki" refers to a wall made from stacked used kiln tools. This view, which stretches over 400 meters and is beautifully arranged in geometric patterns, is unique to Seto. Instead of discarding old tools, they are repurposed as part of the landscape, reflecting the mindset of the people who have always valued their belongings and a sustainable spirit.
The "Kamagaki no Komichi" path has been carefully preserved by the local people as a landscape that conveys Seto's pottery culture to the present day. Just walking along this path is like touching the memories of the time nurtured by this land.
SETO
Seto: One of Japan's Leading Ceramic Production Areas
― Seto City, Aichi Prefecture
Seto City in Aichi Prefecture is known as one of the "Six Old Kilns of Japan." The term "Six Old Kilns" refers to the six representative kilns of traditional ceramics in Japan, whose production has continued from the medieval period to the present: Echizen, Seto, Tokoname, Shigaraki, Tanba, and Bizen. This term was coined around 1948, and Seto was recognized as a "Japan Heritage" in 2017.
― Seto-yaki
"Seto-yaki" refers to the ceramics produced primarily in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, and boasts a history of over 1,000 years. The term "Setomono," which refers to ceramics in general, originates from Seto-yaki, which has long led Japan's ceramics industry. Seto is not only recognized in Japan but also has a globally renowned ceramics industry.
Hisayuki Iwatsuki 岩附壽之
Hisato Iwatsuki 岩附寿人
NEWS
notice
We will bring you the latest from Kashiwa Kiln, including new products and event exhibits.
お知らせ
2026.03.04
2026.03.04
2026.03.04
2026.03.04
2026.03.04
2026.03.04
2026.03.04
2026.03.04
2026.03.04
お知らせ
2026.03.04
2026.03.04
notice
We have renewed our website.
RECRUIT
Made by hand. Connecting hearts.
Kashiwa Kiln is a small workshop surrounded by nature in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture.
Since our founding in 1965, we have been carefully preserving our casting method and handcrafting techniques.
Every day, we work with earth and fire, creating products that are close to people's lives.
No two are the same.
We are proud of the unevenness of the glaze, the distortion of the firing, and these "fluctuations."
We are a small production team and are not constantly hiring.
However, I always cherish meeting people who share my passion for craftsmanship and the values of Kashiwa Kiln.
We will announce recruitment on this page.
If you are interested in being involved in manufacturing, please contact us.
I look forward to forming a good relationship with you someday.
CONTACT
inquiry
Please feel free to contact us with any questions about our products or how to handle them.
Thank you for visiting the Kashiwa Kiln (KASHIWACRAFT) website.
Please feel free to contact us using the form below for product details, stock status, handling inquiries, etc.