Renowned as a famous location for the Omuro cherry blossoms, Ninnaji Temple, which was founded in 888 AD by Emperor Uda, served as the leading imperial monastery with the imperial family serving as its head priests. Since then, for approximately a thousand years, this tradition of serving as head priests was passed down for thirty generations until the early Meiji period.

Today, it preserves the treasures, such as the relocated Imperial Palace Shishinden, now designated as a World Heritage Site, the “Kondo” (Golden Hall), the “Goju-no-to” (Five-story Pagoda) recognized as Important Cultural Properties, and the tea room “Ryokakutei” by Ogata Korin. The “Omuro Kiln” began its history in 1646 when Emperor Go-Yozei invited a young artisan to the Omuro Imperial Palac began its history in 1646e as an official potter and bestowed upon him the name “Nin.” Ninsei, known as the “founder of Kyo-yaki (Kyoto ware),” learned the art of tea from the tea master Kanamori Sowa and created numerous tea utensils. These “Omuro-yaki” pieces are considered the roots of Kyo-yaki.

Many works by the three master potters of Omuro-yaki, Ninsei, Ogata Kenzan, and Ogata Korin, have been designated as national treasures and Important Cultural Properties. In recent years, Eiraku Wazen (1823-1896) is also celebrated for reviving the Ninsei Kiln and continuing its pottery production.

The Omuro Kiln, which pursued sophistication and elegance, faced a hiatus in its history due to changes in the times. However, in 1983, the then president of Tachikichi (established in 1752) reopened it under the name “Ninshu,” with the consent of the 43rd head priest of Ninnaji Temple, Tatebe Zuiyu. As a result, Ninshu received permission to use the name “Nin” from Ninnaji Temple, the designation as a purveyor, and the use of the chrysanthemum crest derived from the Imperial Family.

Ninshu strives to carry on the essence of the historic “Omuro Kiln” to this day, while also embracing changes in line with the times to ensure its legacy endures.

 

 

 

Ninnaji Temple, World heritage site
33 Omuro ouchi, Ukyou-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 616-8092, Japan
https://ninnaji.jp/en/

Location
https://ninnaji.jp/en/location/

Ninshu’s pottery are “hand made” on the potter’s wheels, one by one, by expert craftsmens’ hands.
The beauty of Ninshu’s pottery lies in the refined handmade shapes, dynamic traces made by fingers, unparalleled scenery of the glazed surface with its brilliant colors. Earthenware allows the glaze to penetrate deep into the clay. By baking in the kiln, the glaze harmonizes, transforms and combines with the clay, bringing about the “YOHEN,” a profound and evocative kiln effect.

Ninshu is also concerned with practicality and all pottery are dishwasher and microwave safe. And our creates dishes designed to suit all cuisines and lifestyles, including Western and Chinese as well as Japanese cuisine.

Ninshu is pursuing the true beauty of handmade ceramics to propose a culture of contemporary lifestyle.