This Imari porcelain place is called “the secret village of kilns for Imari ware.” In the old times, under the order of the Nabeshima clan, it kept the secret method of Nabeshima-style pottery. Now, it has been transformed into a fashionable tourist spot with beautiful mountain scenery. Porcelain wind bells made in this village make great souvenirs.

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Japanese Official Site (No English Page):Ookawachiyama https://imari-ookawachiyama.com

wind chimes

Imari Ware

Imariyaki porcelain was first produced as early as the Edo period (1603-1867) as the official kiln of the Nabeshima domain. To preserve the excellence of its techniques, skilled craftsmen and painters were gathered in Okawa-uchiyama to produce pottery using the best techniques available at the time, including colored Nabeshima porcelain. To prevent the leakage of these secret techniques, a barrier was set up at the entrance of Okawachiyama, and access to the kiln was strictly regulated. The pottery was also used as gifts to the shogunate and feudal lords and was highly valued.