Futao Aoyama recognized as Holder of intangible cultural asset

Futao Aoyama-sensei, whom we interviewed and presented in a series of articles on this site, has been recognized by the City of Tajimi as Holder of an Intangible Cultural Asset (Shiro Tenmoku). Mr. Aoyama has spent decades trying to reproduce the Shiro Tenmoku (White Tenmoku tea bowl). This pottery is - along with Seto Guro - the only kinds of pottery known to have originated in Japan. After many years of research and test production Mr. Aoyama was able to reproduce Shiro Tenmoku very similar to the three remaining samples from 16th century Japan. He succeeded by using clay from his home village Onada, as well as the ash glazing typical for the historical kilns in the area. This is viewed as strong evidence that the historic Shiro Tenmoku were produced in Onada, and thus that Tajimi is home to one of the two kinds of native Japanese pottery styles. The image shows the making of a 360 still photography of Mr. Aoyama in his studio. The photo is available in our articles about the master potter.