Kasama-yaki Ajisai Koubou

Ajisai Koubou is a Kasama-ware pottery studio based in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture (former Yasato district), at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba. Close to the Kasama-ware producing area known as eastern Japan's oldest kiln region, the surroundings gather many kilns, artists, and craftspeople. In that environment, the studio creates blue pottery that colors daily life — centered on tableware and vases.

Artist Masami Taniguchi was born in 1973 in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. In 2000, he trained under his mother Eishiko Taniguchi, and in 2001 he studied techniques as a trainee at the Ibaraki Prefectural Ceramic Art Training Center. After being selected for the international open-call exhibition "Ren-ten," he built his own kiln in Ishioka City in 2004 and became independent — continuing production while holding solo and planning exhibitions in various places.

A major characteristic of Ajisai Koubou is the proprietary "Kunsilver firing" technique. The clay body fired to a deep navy-blue color carries smoky, metallic nuance while having the warmth characteristic of pottery. This technique is used on various-shaped pieces — plates, flat plates, lipped bowls, fluted dishes, vases — and you can enjoy how the coloring softly changes over time.

Main works include square plates, round plates, pasta plates, small bowls, cups, soup cups, sake ware, rice bowls and donburi, vases and incense burners, and turquoise-blue ware. Beyond the studio, works are carried at Kasama Craft Hills, Kirara-kan, Ibaraki Prefectural Flower Park, metropolitan-area galleries and select shops, and pottery shops and restaurants nationwide — with online sales through TABLELIFE, REMOTE BOOKS, and others.

The studio also actively participates in Kasama Himatsuri (Fire Festival), national pottery fairs, and solo and planning exhibitions in various places — with exhibition schedules for the year regularly announced on the studio site. The studio operates 10:00-17:00 with irregular closing days, and inquiries about additional purchases, special orders, and exhibitions are also handled by phone, email, or contact form.

Blue pottery born in the Kasama area, eastern Japan's oldest kiln region

Ajisai Koubou operates its studio in a warm region at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba — the same area as Kasama, eastern Japan's oldest kiln region with 300 kilns. Centered on tableware and vases, the studio creates Kasama-ware pieces that fit into daily life — with diverse series of square plates, round plates, pasta plates, small bowls, cups, soup cups, sake ware, rice bowls and donburi, vases and incense burners, and turquoise-blue ware.

Original "Kunsilver firing" technique fired to deep navy-blue

The signature technique of the studio is "Kunsilver firing" (ibushi-ginsai-yaki) — fired to a deep navy-blue color. Characterized by smoky, deep blue and a unique texture carrying metallic nuance. The aging change as colors soften with use is also part of the appeal — this technique is used on various items including plates, flat plates, lipped bowls, fluted dishes, and vases.

Hoshimaru vase, and a nationwide network of retailers and online shops

The "Hoshimaru" vase (Star-Round) with its star-shaped opening is one of Ajisai Koubou's signature vases — easy to fix flowers in place, with smoked navy-blue coloring that pairs well with any flower. Works are carried not just at the studio but also at Kasama Craft Hills, Kirara-kan, Ibaraki Prefectural Flower Park, Ginza's Ibaraki Marche, and shops and restaurants across Japan — also purchasable through the online shop, various EC sites, and hometown tax (furusato nozei) return gifts.