Tsuboya ware (壺屋焼, Tsuboya-yaki) is a type of Ryukyuan pottery traditionally produced in Tsuboya, a pottery district in the city of Naha, in the prefecture Okinawa. ...
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Okinawan craftsmen began engaging in this form of pottery in 1682, and have since passed down the craft for generations. The most notable feature of this ware is its enamel decoration, unique to Okinawa. Originally, ceramics produced in this style were used primarily by common, middle-class people. However, during the Taisho period (1912-1926), the style was popularized by folk art proponents like Muneyoshi Yanagi. Tsuboya ware is categorized into two types: arayachi and jouyachi. While arayachi is a more simple style and takes the form of vessels for water or alcohol, jouyachi can be recognized by its rich enamel decoration.
