Seiichi Otsuka

Founded in 1861, Taisei Kiln owns the largest kiln in Mashiko and, along with Hamada Kiln, has played a significant role in the history of Mashiko ware. 

Seiichi Otsuka, the seventh-generation potter, studied under Masaaki Shibata for four years in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture, one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns. He personally prepares the clay and firewood, carefully selecting materials with a deep commitment to their quality. 

Familiar with both old ceramics and the Mingei (folk craft) tradition, his works embody a rich sense of heritage while maintaining a distinct artistic flavor.

Mashiko Town, located in the mountains of Haga District to the east of Utsunomiya City, sits at the heart of Tochigi Prefecture. Pottery production in this area is believed to have begun in the late Edo period.  

At that time, ancient kilns such as Seto (Aichi) and Shigaraki (Shiga) were at their peak, and the idea emerged to replicate their styles in the Kanto region. However, Mashiko remained an unremarkable and nameless pottery-producing area—until it was given new life by the renowned potter Shoji Hamada.  

After meeting the British potter Bernard Leach, Hamada traveled to England, where the two established a kiln together. Upon returning to Japan, Hamada chose Mashiko as his base for pottery-making. Using Mashiko’s local clay and glazes, he infused artistic expression into its ceramics. The works he created, along with those produced by local artisans under his guidance, gained recognition as part of the Mingei (Folk Craft) Movement led by Soetsu Yanagi. This momentum ultimately established Mashiko ware (Mashiko-yaki) as a recognized ceramic tradition.