MASIRA

Masira is a porcelain brand created by master potter Kenichi Imamura, the fourteenth head of the Touetsu Kiln. The kiln was founded in feudal times in Mikawachi, part of modern-day Nagasaki prefecture. In 1641, it came under the patronage of the Hirado clan. The lord of Hirado honored the third generation master potter by giving him the name Joen (meaning "like a monkey") in recognition of his dexterity. This is the origin of the brand name Masira, which means "monkey" in Japanese. Shikao Imamura, the family's twelfth master potter, moved the Touetsu kiln to Arita in Saga prefecture, where he could combine the fine handicraft of Mikawachi with Arita manufacturing and glazing techniques that successive generations of the family have perfected. That combination can be seen in these Masira pots created from Amakusa Toseki porcelain stone. Their shapes resemble traditional Japanese tea canisters, but they are designed for everyday use without restriction to a specific purpose. Incorporate..

Primary location: Saga Japan