Thank you for visiting Tosai's website.
Our shop is a Kyoto-based specialty store that manufactures and sells pottery and porcelain, specializing in Kiyomizu ware. Our unique, hand-made and hand-painted designs have been loved by many customers for about 100 years since we first opened.
Since we have been making the same design for many years, we can purchase additional pieces if they become damaged, and we can also make to order original designs (base material, shape, pattern) to suit your preferences.
We hope that you will experience the profound beauty of pottery, use Japanese tableware that matches the four seasons with your free imagination and sensibility, and live a fulfilling life.
The origins of Tosai
In 1919, the first Tosai established a kiln at the foot of Mt. Otowa in Shimizu, Kyoto's eastern district, and in 1936, the previous Tosai opened a store in Ginza.
Based on traditional Kyoto ware, we continue to create works that incorporate the best of Tokyo without losing the elegance of Kyoto, and we have received the patronage of many people to this day.
Toya's works are masterpieces designed and created in a workshop at the foot of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and produced by skilled artisans.
We believe that the rich variety of designs and shapes that correspond to the four seasons is a unique quality of Japanese pottery. We treasure this refined Japanese culture and aesthetic sense while creating works that are suited to modern times.
⚫︎Awards
1957: Gold Award at the Milan Triennale
1958 Brussels World Exposition Grand Prix Gold Award, 2nd Ministry of International Trade and Industry Good Design Award, etc.
About Tosai Yamada
⚫︎1948 (S23)
Born in Kyoto as the eldest son of the previous head of the family, Toya Yamada.
⚫︎1966 (S41)
Graduated from Doshisha High School. Enrolled in the Department of Industrial, Craft and Design at Musashino Art University.
Graduated from the Department of Industrial Design. Studied at the Department of Ceramics at the Danish National Academy of Fine Arts (Kunst Hand Werk Skolen).
⚫︎1971 (S46)
Invited by Finn Lyngård, a professor at the university and a famous ceramic artist, he became a production assistant and assisted him in his solo exhibitions in Sweden and other countries. He also worked as a ceramics instructor under Professor Finn at the Denmark Summer Design School, which is aimed at art students from all over the world.
At the end of the same year, he returned to Japan.
⚫︎1972 (S47)
Joined Touya Kougei Toho Co., Ltd. and began helping his father
⚫︎2001 (H13)
As head of the family, he decided to study tea ceremony at the Mushakoji Senke school, which he had had a close relationship with since his grandfather's time, and became a disciple of the former head master Yurinsai. He remains a member of the direct school Kanwa-kai to this day.
Director Yasujiro Ozu and Toya
Director Yasujiro Ozu is known as one of the great masters of Japanese cinema, acclaimed worldwide alongside director Akira Kurosawa.
Among the Ozu team that supported the beauty of Ozu's films, the staff member known as the "Arts and Crafts Selection" was the former head of Toya, Yamada Hayao. Yamada responded to Ozu's requests by providing advice not on props or stage sets, but on Japanese culture, including art and crafts.
It also suggests things related to tea, such as the flower vases in the tokonoma alcove, and the way utensils are placed on the table, as seen from director Ozu's unique low camera angle.
Director Ozu, who was particular about authenticity in everything he did, disliked fakes, even if only the edge of something was visible, and always had the real thing prepared.
Kabuki actor and Tosai
Tosai has a large collection of items that have been made in response to requests from Kabuki actors from time to time.
Some of the samples from my grandfather's time that I have kept are reminiscent of times gone by, such as the Kikusanshima tea bowls (top photo) that Kikugorou VI distributed at the memorial for his grandfather's fifth son, and the plates (bottom photo) that I made to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Danjūrō VIII and the 50th anniversary of Danjūrō IX.
Tosai Kyoto Shop's workshop has a painting room and overglaze kiln where pottery and porcelain are painted, and the painters take their time to carefully finish each piece. From the window of the painting room, you can see the cherry blossoms in the backyard and the trees and flowers that change with the seasons. We paint while looking at these things and using our imagination. We would like to give you a little taste of what it is like.
Store Information
Tosai operates two stores: one in Shimizu, Kyoto, and one in Ginza, Tokyo.
You can actually see and touch Tosai's works. We also have many works that are not listed on the online site, so please stop by.
We look forward to your visit.