ABOUT OTANIYA

Meet the Artisan

Eiichiro Tamura

As the 10th-generation head of Motoyama Kiln, Eiichiro Tamura continues the tradition of Otani Pottery while exploring contemporary forms and designs. His work combines traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, creating pieces that are both functional and expressive.

Otani Pottery Developed Along with Indigo Dyeing

Otani Pottery is a traditional craft representing Tokushima Prefecture with a history of over 240 years. It is said to have originated in 1780, in the late Edo period, when Bunemon, a pottery craftsman from Bungo Province (Oita Prefecture) who came on a pilgrimage to 88 sacred sites on Shikoku Island, created this pottery in Otani Village (now Oasa Town, Naruto City) using red clay from the Kanigatani area.

The pottery developed through the production of large ceramics such as aigame (indigo jars), mizugame (water jars), and water lily pots, which were indispensable for indigo production, a major industry in Tokushima at the time.

The production process of large ceramics uses a unique technique called “Nerokuro,” in which one person lies on the side and turns the potter's wheel with his/her feet while the other person molds the pottery.

Otani pottery was designated as a traditional craft by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2003.