Handcrafted Ivory Flower Vase

Narui Kiln was established in 1970 by Narui Tsuneo, the third son of Narui Kinji, the second-generation head of the Meiji-period kiln Endōji Narai Kiln. Born into this lineage, Tsuneo grew up immersed in the family trade, honing his skills alongside experienced artisans before building his own kiln on its present site. Tsuneo later taught Noto Midori, a renowned artist whose works are also displayed at Keiko Uchida. 

Following Tsuneo’s passing, several potters have continued to honour his spirit, carrying forward the tradition of making. Each piece is shaped by hand using a traditional kick wheel or plaster moulds, and fired over the course of three days in a three-chambered climbing kiln.

Mashiko is a small town renowned for its distinctive pottery, known collectively as Mashiko ceramics. The town’s fame rests largely on its locally sourced clay, prized for its coarse texture, natural warmth and remarkable strength, which allows potters to create sturdy, practical wares with a reassuring weight in the hand. Rich in iron and responsive to wood and ash glazes, the clay produces earthy tones ranging from deep browns to soft, muted creams. Characterised by simple forms and rustic glazes, Mashiko ceramics embody a quiet, unpretentious beauty rooted in the materials themselves and the enduring traditions of the kiln.