ICHINO DENICHIGAMA｜TAMBA TACHIKUI Yaki (Pottery)

Brand

Philosophy of flowerpots instead of soil

ICHINO DENICHIGAMA

• TAMBA TACHIKUI Yaki (Pottery)
• Hiromichi Ichino

History

TAMBA TACHIKUI Yaki has been in existence for 800 years.

Ichino Denichigama is a pottery specialising in flowerpots that has been in existence for three generations in Tamba Sasayama, Hyogo Prefecture.

The pottery produced in the Tamba Sasayama Tachikui area is called TAMBA TACHIKUI Yaki (Pottery) and is one of the six oldest kilns in Japan.

The area is a basin surrounded by mountains and is known for its fantastic fog in autumn and winter.

When the fog clears, the area dries quickly and is ideal for pottery making.

The origins of Tamba Tachikake ware date back to the late Heian and Kamakura periods, with a history of more than 800 years.

In the beginning, trenches were dug in the mountainsides and anagama kilns were built to produce the pottery demanded by the general public.

When climbing kilns were introduced, it became possible to fire large quantities of pottery at a time, and great advances have been made so far, including the invention of the kick rocro, the use of ash and iron glazes, the development of new glazes and improvements in clay quality.

The style of selling directly what is made, without the presence of wholesalers, has been carried on to the present day.

In the 1960s, TAMBA TACHIKUI Yaki (Pottery), with its simple and unique texture, caught the attention of folk art campaigner Yanagi Muneyoshi, who decided to pursue the "beauty of use" as a folk art product.

The miscellaneous vessels of daily life became a catalyst for the creation of new values of beauty.

Characteristic

Vessels that respect the individuality of plants and flowers

Ichino Denichigama specialises in flowerpots and is unique among TAMBA TACHIKUI Yaki (Pottery).

The founder, Denichi Ichino, has long produced flowerpots for daily necessities as well as seasonal flowers such as chrysanthemums and morning glories, and conducted his own research into ways to improve ventilation and drainage to prevent roots from rotting, and to improve water retention.

Then, 50 years ago, a wildflower enthusiast asked him to produce a special pot.

After thorough discussions on everything from soil composition to shape and thickness, and after a process of trial and error, the perfect flowerpot for wildflowers was completed.

Since then, the company has also received special pots for Christmas roses and other special flowerpots on special order.

The main features of Denichi pots are the soil composition, which varies according to the type of plant, the shape that allows the roots to breathe easily, and the thickness that blocks heat and allows the pot itself to retain moisture.

The soil, shape, size and the way the bottom hole is drilled are all carefully considered so that the plants grow beautifully and healthily.

As anagama and climbing kilns have the advantage that they can still be used today, the pots are produced using three different types of kilns, together with a gas kiln.

The difference in the quality of the firing process can be enjoyed depending on the nature of the kiln, the type of wood used and the method of baking.

The knowledge and wisdom accumulated from the first generation is now passed on to the third generation by the second generation, Tatsuya.

Having realised the rare value of the family business after working as a businessman and thoroughly relearning the basics, the third generation, Hiromichi, is working hard to master the skills of a master craftsman while seeking to build his own style without changing the form.

For Customers

Feel in harmony with nature

Each flowerpot from the Ichino Denichigama is engraved with a "den" (伝) at the end.

This is a sign of confidence and pride in the craftsmanship of the artisans who have created these pots with plants in mind.

The simple texture of the clay skin, the beautiful colours and patterns created by delicate handwork, and above all, the flowerpots as soil in which plants can thrive.

The pots are varied according to various conditions, such as the clay mixture, shape, glaze colour and kiln in which they are fired, and the result is beyond your imagination.

We hope that you will take Denichi pots into your daily life and feel a moist and healing space surrounded by plants full of vitality.