BIZEN POTTERY
Bizen pottery has a history that goes back as long as 1,000 years. It is one of the oldest school of potteries in Japan. During the Muromachi era, Bizen pottery has brought about the admiration of many tea masters, resulting in the creation of many renowned tea utensils.Bizen pottery has long been cherished for its natural beauty, simple and unique design, and its durable and noble quality. It gives sense of earth's simple warmth, and admirers of Bizen pottery can be found all around the world.
Bizen pottery's durable quality is achieved by its unique firing process. It takes two weeks in fireclay brick kiln where the inside temperature can reach up to 1,300 degrees Celsius (or 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit). Bizen pottery is never glazed. The beautiful color is achieved by the use of natural ingredients, mainly pine trees.
To learn more about Bizen pottery, its history, features, and daily use, click here.
STUDIO KIBIDO
During the reign of Ikeda Mitsumasa, the head of the Bizen Clan (1584-1616), only six families were authorized to produce potteries in Bizen District to ensure the highest quality.The Kimura family has carried on the tradition of Bizenyaki (Bizen pottery) for nine generations since early 1,600's under the studio name ‘KIBIDO’ (黄薇堂).
Our KAMAMOTO (Studio-Kiln) is located right in the heart of Bizen City, Okayama, Japan. Studio Kibido features its own traditional four-chamber fireclay brick Kiln which fires thousands of potteries twice a year, typically in April and in November.
Our Store is located on premise, and offers wide range of Bizen potteries including Sake bottles and cups, Teapots and Tea ceremony sets, Flower vases, Chopstick rests, Accessories and a lot more. Please view our Products for more details.
Our Studio, complete with potter's wheels, also on premise, is available for tour when it is in operation during normal business hours.
ARTISTS
Studio Kibido has been operating under the direction of our ceramic artist, Bifu Kimura, since 1971. He has won awards in many Japanese pottery exhibitions. His works have been featured in magazines, on television, and at numerous galleries, exhibitions and restaurants both in Japan and in the United States.Our new artist, Mizuho Kimura, was born into ninth generation of the Kimura family. In 1995, she began studying traditional Bizen Pottery from Bifu Kimura, her father. In 2003, she came to America to pursue further study of fine arts at college.
EVENTS
Studio Kibido regularly holds exhibitions in Osaka, Japan following the firing process, typically in April and in November.On the third weekend of every October, Bizenyaki Festival is held near Inbe Station and Studio Kibido, drawing some 150,000 visitors each year.
In addition, we occasionally hold special events in San Francisco, California in America.
In November 2005, our studio was featured on a local TV network. It includes interview with our artist, Bifu Kimura, and a comprehensive tour of our store, studio and the kiln.
Please visit our website, bizenyakikibido.com for more details on the latest events.
CONTACT US
We invite you to visit our main studio in Japan for complete tour of this historical landmark.Please e-mail us at mail@bizenyakikibido.com for more information, samples and catalog of our latest products available for purchase.
Visit our website for directions and our business hours.
