japanese red kyusu teapot made of terracotta tokoname YAKIBA

Japanese red kyusu teapot in tokoname clay, YAKIBA

The city of Tokoname specializes in the art of ceramics. It is the oldest and most important of the six ancient pottery centers in Japan. Ceramics have been produced here since the late Heian period (11th century), and traces of these productions can be found in Kamakura or on the north coast of Honshu. The traditional local handicraft is especially famous for its teapots.