Ishibi Kiln — Living Tochiku Pottery Tradition

Kurume is the centre of Tochiku pottery — a glazing tradition dating to the Edo period, characterized by a rustic iron-rich glaze that fires to deep tenmoku brown with amber and mahogany overtones, applied asymmetrically to preserve the hand-touch of the maker. Ishibi Kiln (石火窯), 20 minutes east of Kurume Station, is one of the last active wood-firing kilns in the tradition, operated by a third-generation potter who fires twice annually.