Green Japanese pottery bowl, black background (landscape). Tsukushi

Nunobiki Pottery

Japanese ceramics where Nature in Glaze meets a thousand years of tradition.

Full frontal view of a blue pottery yunomi teacup with tree design. Tsukushi

Komorebi | Yunomi Teacup

$32.00

Large Fukumori owl-shaped ceramic ornament ny K. Kojima with gold and blue glaze accents, three-quarter front view

Fukumori | Owl Figurine

From $35.00

Japanese pottery yunomi cup with a textured surface on a gradient background

Mankai | Pink Cherry Blossoms Round Teacup

$30.00

Handcraftd Japanese bowl with a gradient color on a dark background

Sakura | Green Cherry Blossoms Rice Bowl Large

$50.00

Front view of a Japanese yunomi with owl decoration on the inside, on a gradient background.

Fukuro | Blue Owl Teacup

$35.00

New

Sold out

Two Japanese sake cups with a textured surface and sakura decorations

Haruhana | Guinomi Sake Cup Set

$105.00

Front view of a Japanese yunomi with wabi sabi glaze on a gradient background

Kodachi | Blue Tree Round Teacup

$25.00

Five handcrafted ceramic owl figurines in teal, plum, sandstone, twilight blue, and moss green with gold-glazed faces.

Gofuku | Owl Figurine Set

$58.00

A Japanese plate made of pottery with cherry blossoms motif in pink background. Lateral view

Hanami | Pink Cherry Blossoms Plate

$180.00

A Japanese ceramic matcha bowl adorned with an aurora and a mountain against a black background. Tsukushi

Somori | Matcha Bowl

$695.00

Hanagumo | Matcha Bowl

$560.00

Set of 2 Japanese pottery rice bowls. Tsukushi

Meoto Jawan｜Husband and Wife Bowl Set

$86.00

Sōshū | Matcha Bowl

$640.00

Sofuku ceramic owl pair arranged with the smaller owl in front and the larger owl behind

Sōfuku | Owl Figurine Set

$170.00

Fukuro | Blue Owl Teacup Set

$150.00

Set of three Engifuku owl figurines by Kazuhiro Kojima in yellow, pink, and blue speckled glazes, hollow eyes, front view.

Engifuku | Owl Figurine set

$70.00

Authentic Japanese pottery bowl with cherry blossoms decoration. Green and beige color. (side view 5).

Sakura | Green Cherry blossoms Rice Bowl Small

$45.00

Yūkaede | Matcha Bowl

$640.00

3/4 view of the Harukaze Cherry Blossoms pink salad bowl by Kazuhiro Kojima on a faded background.

Harukaze | Pink Cherry Blossoms Salad Bowl

$60.00

Harukaze Japanese green salad bowl by K.Kojima. Front view on gradient background.

Harukaze | Green Cherry blossoms Salad Bowl

$60.00

More about Nunobiki Pottery

Nunobiki Pottery (Nunobiki Yaki) carries one of Japan's most quietly remarkable histories, a lineage interrupted for over a thousand years, then brought back to life by a single potter's determination.

Between the Hakuho and Heian periods (710–1185 AD), the eastern shore of Lake Biwa flourished as a pottery region. Artisans around the Nunobiki Mountains fired distinctive green-glazed ceramics, inspired by the celebrated wares of China's Tang Dynasty. Then, for reasons lost to time, production ceased entirely — and remained silent for more than a millennium.

In the 1970s, a young Kyoto-trained potter named Taro Kojima encountered traces of this forgotten craft and became captivated. Rather than imitate what had been lost, he devoted years of experimentation to understanding it, and ultimately transcended it.
The result was a glaze technique unlike anything that had come before: deep, translucent, luminous, with colors that shift and transform inside the kiln to form what appear as natural landscapes on the surface of the clay.
He named it Nanasai Tenmoku (七彩天目) — and with it, Nunobiki Pottery was reborn.

The Story of Nunobiki Pottery

The Nanasai Tenmoku Technique

Nanasai Tenmoku (七彩天目) translates literally as "Tenmoku of the Seven Colors."
Tenmoku refers to a family of high-fired glazes traditionally known for their dark, oil-spot finish, prized in East Asian ceramics for centuries.

Taro Kojima took this foundation and transformed it into something entirely his own: a layered glaze that captures the softness of natural landscapes, forests, lakes, mountain mist, suspended within the surface of each piece.

Unlike mass-produced ceramic glazes applied uniformly, Nanasai Tenmoku reacts dynamically to heat. No two firings produce the same result.
The colors deepen, shift, and settle in ways that cannot be fully controlled or predicted — which is precisely what makes each piece irreplaceable.

This technique became the signature of Nunobiki Pottery, establishing it not merely as traditional craft, but as a living artistic practice rooted in nature, fire, and the maker's eye.

How an Owl Became a Symbol

Every great kiln has a story, and Nunobiki's is inseparable from an owl.

When Taro Kojima established his workshop in the early 1970s, a dense forest bordered the land. An owl lived there, appearing at dusk, perched and still, as if keeping watch over the kiln below.

There was something in that presence Kojima couldn't ignore. He sat down with clay and shaped what he saw: an owl, quiet and steady, the way the real one had always been.

In Japanese, fukurou (梟) means owl. But written with different characters, fukuro (福) means filled with good fortune. The name held both truths, and felt right from the start.
The Fukuro Owl became the official mascot of the kiln, a symbol of both watchful guardianship and auspicious blessing.

Over the decades, owl figurines, cups, and ornaments grew beloved throughout the community. In 2004, when the surrounding town marked its 50th anniversary, the Fukuro Owl was chosen as the official emblem, with commemorative monuments installed at nine locations across the city.

Today, the Fukuro Owl is not simply a product. It is a presence.

The Artisans Behind Nunobiki Kiln

Taro Kojima

Born 1940 in Miyagi Prefecture, Taro Kojima trained in Kyoto and Shigaraki, two of Japan's most respected ceramic centers.

In 1970, he collaborated with artist Taro Okamoto on the monumental ceramic relief "Face of the Past" for the Tower of the Sun at the Osaka World's Fair.

The following year, he founded Nunobiki Kiln in what is now Higashi Omi City, Shiga Prefecture. There, he developed the Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, a technique that transforms natural imagery into layered, luminous color on ceramic surfaces.

His work has been exhibited in Alaska and Michigan, and his relief murals can be found in public buildings and institutions across Japan.

Kazuhiro Kojima

Kazuhiro Kojima (born 1972), Taro's son, grew up surrounded by clay, fire, and his father's restless experimentation.

After completing his studies at art college, he returned to the kiln and trained alongside Taro, gradually developing a visual language distinctly his own.

His signature subject is the Fukuro Owl, rendered in Nanasai Tenmoku across a range of scales, from monumental ceramic statues to small, intimate accessories.
His pieces have been placed in hospitals, public institutions, and streetscapes, chosen for the sense of calm and quiet warmth they carry.

The second generation of Nunobiki is not a copy of the first. It is a continuation.

Rooted in Shiga, Shaped by Lake Biwa

The Nunobiki Pottery Kiln is located in Higashi Omi, Shiga Prefecture, a landscape defined by the still waters of Lake Biwa and the quiet rhythms of a region that has produced ceramic art for over a thousand years.

This is not coincidence. The local environment, the mineral-rich clay, the measured climate, the long tradition of craftsmanship near Shigaraki, shapes every piece that leaves the kiln.

Y. Onnis of Tsukushi and Kojima Ryoko and Kasuhiro at Nunobiki Pottery kiln.

A note from Tsukushi

How we work with Nunobiki Pottery

We go to the kiln. Not once, regularly.

There are no intermediaries, no agents, no catalogues exchanged at trade fairs. Every piece in this collection has been seen, held, and selected in person, directly from the hands that made it.

In Japan, an artisan who allows their work to be carried by someone else is extending a form of trust that is not offered lightly.
A family kiln producing in limited quantities, by hand, to a standard they set themselves, this is not a supplier relationship. It is something closer to a responsibility.

"A small kiln like Nunobiki produces pieces that no factory could replicate — not because of scale, but because of intention.
We don't try to bridge that gap. We simply make sure the work reaches the people who will understand it."
— Tsukushi

Japanese blue ceramic bowl with a owl design on a gray background

Craft That Cannot Be Repeated

Shaped by hand, transformed by fire.
Each piece carries the depth of Nanasai Tenmoku glaze and the quiet mark of a craft passed down through generations.

Making of Japanese pottery bowl. Tsukushi

Close-up of Yūkaede matcha bowl foot ring, Taro Kojima's impressed seal on natural Shigaraki clay.

Handpainting of a Japanese pottery plate. Tsukushi

Sōshū matcha bowl, angled view showing momiji tree rising from base

Close-up of a Japanese ceramic owl with speckled gray and blue design.

Great quality , perfect shipment. Custom sourced for our needs

We asked the Tsukushi team for a custom sourcing service for a knife, and they helped us find exactly what we wanted.The knife arrived really quickly and was perfectly protected for the travel from Japan to Italy. The quality is great, and the details are insane. Really recommended!

Dear Matilde,
Thank you for your kind review!
We are thrilled to hear that you are satisfied with the quality and shipment of your knife. We are happy to have been able to custom source it to meet your needs. Your satisfaction is our top priority.
Thank you for recommending us!

Have a great day.
The Tsukushi team

Great custom source service!

Imballaggio perfetto oltre alle aspettative, servizio eccezionale, prodotto top fuori categoria

Dear Giovanni,

Thanks for your review! It was a pleasure to assist you with sourcing your knife. Regarding the packaging, yes, we go the extra mile to ensure our clients receive their products in the best condition possible.
Wish you a great day.

The Tsukushi Team

Delightful Experience *

TSUKUSHI

Delightful experience with clear perspective with ordering products online. Website is clean and accurate. Quality of packaging was fabulous. Shipping was direct with communication of delivery on time.

Thank you.

Respectfully,
Nicole D. Apperley

Dear Ms. D. Apperley,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Tsukushi.
We are glad to hear that our website was user-friendly and that you were satisfied with the quality of packaging and timely delivery.
Your kind words mean a lot to us.

We appreciate your support and hope to continue providing you with authentic Japanese crafts and services in the future.
Thank you again for choosing our shop.

Sincerely,
The Tsukushi team

Very pretty cups and very well crafted

Just love the pattern, colour and shape. Very well crafted!

Dear Gabriele,
thank you so much for leaving your lovely review!
We're happy to hear that you love the pattern, color, and shape of our cups. We take great pride in selecting each and every one of our products with care.
Thanks again for your support!

The Tsukushi team

Consiglio

Consiglio

Dear Ms. Blanchaert,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review for our store. We are glad to read that you had a smooth experience with us. Thank you for the recommendation.
We wish you a great day, the Tsukushi team.

Customer service was exemplary!

Customer service was on another level and exemplary! Great company to support as they are thorough and friendly.

Dear Nadia!
Thank you for your kind words! We strive to provide exemplary customer service and we are glad to hear that it was on another level for you. Your support means a lot to us. Have a great day!

the Tsukushi team

Good service and fast shipping!

Respons time is fast just like the shipping to Europe and the service is also great 😃

Thank you for your kind words Don!
We're glad to hear that you had a great experience with our service and shipping to Europe.
We strive to provide fast response times and a premium service for all of our customers.

Best Regards
Tsukushi

Great shop for distinctive gifts

A great online shop to purchase interesting and thoughtful Japanese inspired gifts.

I will purchase from them again

Dear Luke,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed shopping at our online store for unique Japanese-inspired gifts.
We can't wait to have you as our valued customer again.
Have a lovely day!

Best regards
Tsukushi

Great experience

Great experience, easy to use and quick acknowledgement and delivery.

Dear Narelle

Thank you! We’re happy to see your review.
Being a small family company, this kind of feedback means a lot to us!

Great articraft

I loved every single piece, and especially my hunt was super excited with the collection. Know what to buy for next Christmas, and the packaging is super too.

Thanks Alessio, we hope your aunt will find something she likes.
Don't hesitate to contact us if any support is needed!

Beautiful Shigaraki ware and excellent service!

My experience with Tsukushi is very positive with quality over quantity service!

They also have fair prices prices imo so it's a good choice choosing them as a Shigaraki ware dealer.

Really listening to and thinking with you in wishes and solutions and keep their word so you as a customer can count on them.

Dear D.,
Thank you for your kind review. We are very happy to read your words of appreciation. Being able to go beyond the standard online catalog offer and help you find the product you were searching for by sourcing it locally was a true pleasure. It is always wonderful to meet people like you, passionate and willing to explore new cultures and crafts.

Impeccabile

Prodotti artigianali di ottima fattura. Una particolare cura all'estetica oltre che alla funzionalità, che non guasta. Il prodotto è giunto in Italia senza problemi e in tempi ragionevoli considerata la distanza. Consigliato a chi ama investire in prodotti di buona qualità.

Dear Matteo

Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review for our website and product!
We are thrilled to hear that you appreciate the quality and attention to detail in our artisanal products. We take great pride in ensuring both aesthetics and functionality in our products.

We are also glad to know that your order was delivered to Italy without any issues and in a reasonable amount of time. Your recommendation to invest in quality products means a lot to us.

Thank you again for your support and for choosing our product. We hope to continue exceeding your expectations in the future.

Best regards,
The TSUKUSHI team.

Great website!

Love their japanese tableware, refined and authentic. Impeccable customer service.

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave a review!
We are very happy to hear that you are enjoying our selection of Japanese tableware. Our team works hard to provide authentic and refined products, and we are glad to know that you appreciate it.
We are also happy to hear that our customer service was able to meet your expectations. We truly value your support and look forward to serving you again in the future.

Learn more about this kiln

Nunobiky Pottery Q&A

What is Nunobiki Pottery?

Nunobiki Pottery (布引焼, Nunobikiyaki) is a Japanese family kiln in Higashi Omi City, Shiga Prefecture.
Founded by Taro Kojima in 1971, its crafts are defined by the Nanasai Tenmoku glaze, a layered, nature-inspired technique that creates deep, translucent color on handcrafted stoneware.

What is Nanasai Tenmoku and what makes it unique?

Nanasai Tenmoku (七彩天目) means "Tenmoku of the seven colors."
It is a high-fired glaze technique developed by Taro Kojima that produces luminous, shifting colors resembling natural landscapes, forests, mist, flowers and and water.
Because the glaze reacts unpredictably to heat, no two pieces are ever identical.

Where is Nunobiki Pottery made?

All Nunobiki Pottery is handcrafted at the Nunobiki Kiln in Higashi Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, near Lake Biwa, in a region with a ceramic tradition dating back to the Hakuho period (710 AD).

Each piece is made in small batches by Taro Kojima and his son Kazuhiro Kojima.

What is the Fukuro Owl and why is it significant?

Fukuro Owl is the official symbol of Nunobiki Pottery.
Created by founder Taro Kojima, it is named for a Japanese wordplay: fukurou (梟) means owl, while fukuro (福) means good fortune.

The owl has been the kiln's mascot since the 1970s and was adopted as the emblem of Higashi Omi City's 50th anniversary in 2004.

Is Nunobiki Pottery suitable for everyday use?

Yes. While Nunobiki pieces are works of artisan craft, many, including rice bowls, matcha bowls, and cups, are designed for daily use.

Each item is food-safe and built to be handled. The Nanasai Tenmoku glaze develops subtle character with use, making each piece more personal over time.

How is Nunobiki Pottery different from mass-produced Japanese ceramics?

Nunobiki Pottery is handmade in limited quantities by two potters, a father and son, using a glaze technique that cannot be mechanically reproduced.

Every piece varies in tone, glaze movement, and surface detail. It belongs to the wabi-sabi tradition: the beauty of irregularity, impermanence, and the maker's hand visible in every finished form.