Hoshinoyaki tenjikan
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The Hoshinoyaki tenjikan is a museum of The Old Hoshino Ware. This ware flourished during the Edo period as a retainer kiln of the Kurume Domain. True to the area’s status as a production region for Yame Tea, this kiln created many ceramic masterpieces related to tea, such as jars for storing tea leaves and tea ceremony utensils. While Old Hoshino ware production ceased towards the end of the 19th century, it was revived in 1969 when YAMAMOTO Genta opened a kiln, and successive kilns have been opened by MARUTA Shuichi and YAMAMOTO Takudo. Today, Hoshino ware is prized as Hoshino’s representative art and craft product.
Look out for this!
The building’s distinctive chimney is completely open, and depending on the season rain or snow falls into the room, making for a truly wonderful atmosphere.
| Address | 11865-1 Chijiya, Hoshino-mura, Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture 834-0201 |
|---|---|
| Entrance fee | Adults: ¥200 HS students: ¥100 JHS/ES students: ¥50/Group discount for parties of 15 people or more |
| Opening hours | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. |
| Closing days | Tuesdays (open if this falls on a National Holiday), New Year holiday season |
| Inquiries | Tel: 0943-52-3077 Fax: 0943-52-3077 |
| Remarks |
Guide dogs permitted |
Events
Art of clay and flame born in Hoshino
A place where history comes alive
Hoshinoyaki tenjikan’s building features a star-shaped roof and a mock kiln chimney, and is situated amid the tranquil natural surroundings of mountains lined with pine and cedar trees. The museum features an indoor garden with bubbling spring water, surrounded by a hexagonal corridor gallery displaying many Hoshino ware masterpieces. Visitors are sure to be charmed by this alluring building and its ceramics, which bring the area’s history to life.
Add a little color to your life
You will also find a range of items for sale created by the three Hoshino ware potters, including teacups, teapots, plates and flower vases. Some works adhere strictly to the original spirit of Hoshino ware, while others have been arranged in new ways with contemporary living in mind. These works exude a strong sense of presence while being suited for everyday use.
*For biographies of the three potters, please see the bottom of this page.
Exhibition of Old Hoshino ware works
This outstanding set was formed using a thin layer of refined white clay to make it seem like the inner surface of the cup turns gold and the outer surface a sunset color when pouring tea.
“Unsuke” is a type of vessel with a spout used to store soy sauce or vinegar, or to brew sake. This particular example has a humorous shape reminiscent of a pear.
These lanterns are marked on the front with the year, name of person they are dedicated to and name of the potter who created them. As such, they provide important historical evidence on the origins of Hoshino ware.
These plates were influenced by Arita ware, but possess their own individuality that sets them apart. They give a good sense of the history and depth of old Hoshino ware.
Potters of Hoshino ware
Born 1942 in Tottori Prefecture
Opened a kiln in Honhoshino in 1969
YAMAMOTO Genta took up pottery at the age of 20 years. In 1968, he arrived in Hoshino Village, and immediately fell in love with the village and its locality. It was this that prompted him to revive the Hoshino ware style of pottery after an 80-year hiatus in production.
He has a fondness for bowls and plates rendered in traditional sunset colors or lyrical whites.
Today, he continues to create new vessels incorporating stars, and is known as the “man who fires stars” due to his use of celestial bodies as motifs.
Genta Kiln
0943-52-2188
Born 1951 in Saga Prefecture
Opened a kiln in Ikenoyama in 1975
MARUTA Shuichi stayed at Ikenoyama Camp Ground at the age of 17 years, and was charmed by the area’s rich natural surroundings.
At the age of 23, while still an apprentice, he met HASHIZUME Kisaburo, former village mayor, and obtained support from his mentor and village residents in founding his own independent kiln.
His works are characterized by the use of comb patterns and cherry blossom motifs, featuring burnt sunset colors and shiso-hued glazes.
Jugomori Kiln
0943-52-2143
Born 1950 in Hoshino
Opened a kiln in Oze-Mino in 1989
YAMAMOTO Takudo apprenticed under YAMAMOTO Genta. When he opened his kiln, he fired his kiln using the Flame of Peace that continues to burn in Hoshino Village. He has devoted himself to producing highly original works, applying a glaze created from Mino pine, cedar, tea, plum, thatch, etc. to Hoshino clay.
Joko Kiln
0943-52-3735
Inquiries
Tel: 0943-52-3077
(9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
