Handcrafted Vessels Made in a Workshop Surrounded by Nature
Takao Nagata, a veteran ceramic artist with over 50 years of experience, operates Nagata Kiln in Kyōtanba, Kyoto’s rural countryside near the Sea of Japan.
Born and raised in Kyoto, Takao-san creates pottery in a charming workshop converted from an old farmhouse, where each handmade piece reflects the natural beauty of its surroundings.
Soft daylight filters through the windows of the quiet workshop, allowing the gentle sound of Takao-san’s hands shaping clay to fill the space. His pottery combines slip casting, underglaze decoration, and iron-paint (tetsue) techniques, highlighting the unique texture and warmth of handmade ceramics.
Distinctive Character from Mold-Press Shaping
Each piece from Nagata Kiln is formed with a labor-intensive “mold-press” technique: Takao-san presses flattened clay by hand into individual molds rather than using a potter’s wheel. This method takes much longer but creates an unmistakable handmade feel.
Subtle impressions of Takao-san’s fingertips remain on the surface, producing gentle variations and a distinctive rustic charm that speaks to the human touch behind each handcrafted vessel.
Underglaze Painting by a Former Kyoto Yuzen Artisan
The delicate underglaze decoration is handled by Takao-san’s wife, a former Kyoto Yuzen textile artisan. Her subtle indigo motifs and fine brushwork bring a restrained elegance to each piece, creating harmony without overpowering the form.
Celebrating Both Porcelain and Earthenware
Nagata-san’s work showcases the luminous clarity of porcelain and the earthy texture of pottery. Each handcrafted vessel carries a sense of quiet presence—simple yet dignified—that brings comfort to anyone who uses it.
Takao Nagata continues creating everyday ceramic art that enriches daily life. Every piece, made with traditional craftsmanship and heartfelt care, conveys its own story across time.
Artist Profile
- Nagata Kiln – Takao Nagata (Art name: Gassan)
- Born 1953 in Kyoto, Japan
- 1973: Graduated from Nara University of Arts, Department of Ceramics
- 1973: Apprenticed under Asao Takashima at Heiantoen Craft Studio in Kyoto
- 1978: Selected for Kyoto Crafts Exhibition
- 1990: Established personal kiln in Mizuho Town, Kyoto Prefecture
KOTOPOTTER Owner
Masatoshi Yokoyama
With over 10 years of experience in Japanese traditional pottery, I collaborate with Kyoto artisans to present high-quality, handmade ceramic art.
I founded KOTOPOTTER in 2024 to share carefully curated Kyō-ware and Kiyomizu-ware—Japan’s traditional ceramics—with enthusiasts around the world.