Traditional craft
Karatsu Yaki
唐津焼
Earthy, rustic pottery from Karatsu in Saga, fired in wood-burning climbing kilns and ranked among Japan's top three tea bowls.
Key facts
- Officially recognised
- 9 June 1988
- Type
- Ceramics
- Region
- Kyushu & Okinawa
- Official name in Japanese
- 唐津焼
- Official area (in Japanese)
- 唐津市、武雄市、多久市、伊万里市、嬉野市、東松浦郡玄海町、西松浦郡有田町、杵島郡白石町
The warmth of the clay
Karatsu Yaki's charm lies in the taste of its clay and its simple style. The painted designs are wild and free, and the pieces feel warm in the hand. It is especially famous as tea ware. It is made in Karatsu, Takeo, Taku, Imari and other towns in Saga.
Thirty hours of fire
Pieces are thrown, beaten, built from slabs or pressed in moulds, then decorated by carving, hakeme brushing, inlay or sgraffito. They are glazed and fired at about 1,300°C. Karatsu potters take special pride in their wood-fired climbing kilns: a firing lasts about 30 hours, then the kiln cools for three days before the pieces come out.
Kilns across Matsuura
Karatsu was already being fired by the end of the 16th century, with kilns across the Matsuura area. Old Karatsu from different places was called Matsuura, Taku, Hirado and Takeo Ko-Karatsu. Matsuura Ko-Karatsu became known simply as Karatsu-mono, and its line continues today. Tea people still rank tea bowls 'first Raku, second Hagi, third Karatsu', alongside Hagi Yaki.
Good to know
- In Takeo, the Hiryu kiln is a huge climbing kiln, described as the world's largest; kiln-hopping nearby is a good day out.
- A Karatsu sake cup or small plate is an easy way to bring home the warmth of the clay.
Questions travellers ask
Why is Karatsu famous?
For earthy, rustic tea ware, ranked among Japan's top three tea bowls with Raku and Hagi.
How long is Karatsu fired?
About 30 hours in a wood-fired climbing kiln, followed by three days of cooling.
Where it comes from
More crafts from the same area
Local foods from the same area
Heritage stories from the same area
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.