FROM THE HANDS OF YAMAMOTO GENTA TO YOU

Yamamoto Genta:
Born: Tottori prefecture, 1942
Based: Hoshinomura, Yame city, Fukuoka prefecture
Kiln: Hoshinoyaki, Genta kiln

Hoshinoyaki (hoshino ware) now has over 300 years of history, but if it was not for Yamamoto Genta it would likely be a pottery style with very few remaining pieces, surviving mainly through history books and museums. In Meiji 27 (1894), the last kiln was closed and production ceased. It was not until 74 years later in Showa 43 (1968), that Yamamoto Genta moved to the small village of Hoshinomura and started his kiln, reviving the style. Currently only two other families produce this ware, which includes Genta-san’s former apprentice. 

Hoshinoyaki is directly tied to Japanese tea. It was once the official kiln of the Kurume Domain during the Edo era (which is now part of southern Fukuoka) with masterpieces being produced, such as chatsubo - huge vases for storing tea leaves.

Motivation to pursue pottery:
Genta-san explained to us that the story of his pottery beginnings was very old indeed. At 20 years old, just before his spring graduation, something happened that changed his life. It was New Year’s Day, and he was admitted to a hospital for an appendectomy. The hospital ward at that time was nothing like a modern day hospital and after the operation, he woke up in a tatami room with only a hanging scroll and a vase on the tokonoma to keep him company. Left by himself, he felt very lonely. He could not help but stare at the tokonoma, and the vase specifically left a deep impression on him. It looked so calm and peaceful. That was the moment his fate was sealed, and he was set on the potter’s path. 

After being discharged from the hospital, he went to train in Ise city, Mie prefecture, and later in Koishiwara kiln, Fukuoka prefecture, where he encountered hoshinoyaki. He was simply fascinated by the beauty and grace of hoshinoyaki that he decided to move to the village permanently, and revive it.

Happiness and hardships of being a potter:
The difficulties were quite obvious - to revive something that had not been produced for 80 years. Longer than most lifetimes. After moving to the village, he spent a lot of time studying the pre-existing hoshinoyaki pieces and gathering information from the local villagers. He searched for clay and raw materials inside the village to make the glaze himself. After much trial and error, he was successful in restoring yuuhi glaze (sunset glaze) - the reddish brown colour that shines golden in sunlight when tea, or sake (clear liquid), is poured into it. This was one of his happiest and proudest moments. 

Things to challenge in the future:
While he has not directly pinpointed one particular thing he wants to challenge in the near future, he explained that there are still many things he wants to experiment and learn from. His main goal currently is to continue living in good health, so he can keep doing the things he loves. 

Hobbies other than pottery:
Genta-san enjoys writing poetry, having received awards for his writing in Fukuoka prefecture. He also enjoys going for walks in the woods and recently, on a walk with a friend he made a fantastic discovery - a specific tree called Yama Yanagi which he is currently using to make his newest blue glaze. The wood is boiled, dried and burned in order to put the resulting ash into his glaze. Depending on how much is applied, the shade of blue from Yama Yanagi comes out very differently. Genta-san emphasised that there is only one of those trees, and once the glaze is finished, it will be gone.

Signature pieces:
Anything with the yuuhi glaze is a staple piece to cherish. He also recently created something called chasara (tea plate) for brewing gyokuro, or other light steamed tea. He explained that he wanted to make it easier for people to enjoy high quality tea at home, and with the shape of a small plate, it’s much easier to clean and store away. Being one piece with a sturdy construction, there’s also less to worry about overall. The inspiration for the shape came from the curves of hanabira - flower petals. 

He also has a white glaze which he explains it is made to look like pear flower that he saw in his childhood growing up in Tottori.

Our happy moment shared with him:
Despite being 80 years old he is still energetic and in good spirits. During each of our previous visits we had a small chat over tea, sometimes with small snacks prepared by his wife and this time was no exception. He prepared tea for us using his new functional piece, the chasara. A small amount of gyokuro was placed in the middle, and a small amount of cooled water was poured over the top. We waited patiently for the tea to brew, and when the tea is poured from the plate the moistened tea leaves stick to the plate even when turned 90 degrees on it’s side to pour! We enjoyed the rich, deep and sweet umami flavour in each cup, no more than a few drops each time yet the flavour coated our mouths leaving Yame-cha’s delicious nutty savoury aftertaste. 

Genta-san lives close to nature, with the deep green forests surrounding his house. Hoshinomura is a village most commonly known for star gazing and quality tea, but we hope in the years to come Hoshinoyaki becomes just as well known around the world. We are privileged to have spent so much time with Yamamoto Genta over the years, and will continue sharing his work with you as long as we can.