A potter’s kiln that’s bringing Hoshinoyaki, the official kiln of the Kurume clan, back to life
Located within the mountains of Hoshino village, Hoshinoyaki Genta Kiln produces traditional pottery that has a history of 300 years, from way back when people started harvesting tea leaves in the Chikugo area. The tradition disappeared in the mid-Meiji era, but Genta Yamamoto, a potter who was working in Koishiwara, Fukuoka, relocated to the village in 1969 to revive the kiln. He also succeeded in bringing back the legendary Yuhiyaki (or sunset pottery) that makes the tea poured inside glow golden when sunlight hits its surface. Yamamoto continues to dedicate his skills to pottery-making today. Come and meet his work full of nature’s warmth here at Hoshinoyaki Genta Kiln.
