4. Kyoto vicinity and Tamba

From the late eighth-century, Kyoto thrived as Japan’s political and cultural center until the shogunate was founded in Edo (now Tokyo) in the early seventeenth century. Even after that, Kyoto remained culturally advanced, and it was the center of vigorous activity in arts and crafts. Many types of pottery were produced in the vicinity of Kyoto, such as iro-e pottery, porcelain, some tsuke ware, and raku ware. Not only traditional but avant-garde pottery also thrives there.
In Tamba, as well, pottery making has been a vigorous industry since the Kamakura period (1186-1338) and Muramachi period (1339-1574). Tamba wares are mainly for household use, and are favored by aficionados of the tea ceremony. Some ceramic artists pursue Tamba ware as art.