Iga-yaki
Iga, located in the mountains of Mie Prefecture, is home to one of Japan’s oldest pottery traditions. Iga-yaki 伊賀焼 dates back to the 7th century and is known for its rough, fire-marked surfaces and strong ties to the aesthetics of wabi-sabi. Made from highly refractory clay with embedded feldspar, Iga ware is traditionally wood-fired, often resulting in natural ash glazing and dramatic kiln effects. These characteristics made it a favorite of tea practitioners during the Momoyama period and continue to influence contemporary tea ceramics today.
