This is the view looking down the main street

from the station.

As you can see, Bizen is a small town but it is

said that there are over 300 potters producing

in the area.

A rectangular Bizen plate is the perfect canvas for sushi.

The local sushi bar uses only Bizenyaki tableware for its fish dishes, as well as for sake and soy sauce.

A shrine in Bizen. It is a little different from the usual shrines found all over Japan in that its guardian

figures and even its rooftiles are made from Bizenyaki.

Gorobee kiln

The panels stacked up against the side are used inside the kiln as shelves, creating various levels for different firing results.

Here we can see pots stacked on three different levels. The pots will all have a different finish depending on where they are placed. On the top level it is possible to get a natural glaze, wheras pots placed in the bottom are covered with ash.

Photo : Gorobee kiln

Pots being fired inside the kiln.

Photo : Gorobee kiln

This pot was fired at the bottom of the kiln. The round spot design is created by placing clay discs with a different firing temperature on the pot prior to firing.

Photo : Gorobee kiln

Mr. Suzuki Tsuneki after Kamataki.

He now fires only once a year in December. The firing takes two weeks but the whole process from preparing to cleaning up takes up to a month to complete.

Ms. Mimura Kimiko of Tohaku kiln
She uses 1500-1700 bunches of wood timber during a two week firing period.