The Museum of Ceramic Art - Hyogo
Exhibition Dates. 2 Jan 2025 - 23 Feb 2026
at The Museum of Ceramic Art
Hyogo, Japan
The World of Tamba Ware Season 9
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This exhibition invites you into the timeless world of Tamba ware, one of Japan’s celebrated Six Ancient Kilns, with a continuous history stretching back over 800 years. Originating in Tamba Sasayama (Hyogo Prefecture), this ceramic tradition began in the late Heian period, influenced by pottery techniques from the Tokai region such as Tokoname ware.
Early Tamba ware was unglazed and utilitarian—vases, pots, and mortars fired in simple kilns. But with the dawn of the Edo period, a quiet revolution began. Potters introduced climbing kilns (noborigama), allowing for more controlled firing and a richer variety of surface finishes. Vessels bloomed with natural ash glazes, deep chestnut tones, stone-black sheens, and the soft, refined textures of shirotamba (white Tamba). Over time, the designs evolved to reflect the elegance of nearby Kyoto ware. Through war, peace, and modernisation—from mass-produced sake flasks to wartime ceramics and flower pots—Tamba ware has continually transformed while staying rooted in its earthy aesthetic and deep connection to daily life.
At the heart of this exhibition is the Tanaka Hiroshi Collection, designated an Important Tangible Cultural Property of Hyogo Prefecture. These rare works embody the soul of Tamba ware across centuries: traces of fire, hands, and heritage left in clay.
In 2017, Tamba ware was officially recognised as part of Japan Heritage’s Six Ancient Kilns. This exhibition celebrates that legacy, offering a window into a living tradition shaped by necessity, beauty, and resilience.
Photographed by Nani P - post via instagram @nani.visit
