Overview
About Kanjiro
Kawai Kanjiro (1890–1966) was a master potter and ceramist who made a profound mark on Japan’s craft and design landscape. Not only was he pivotal to the mingei, or folk craft movement, which celebrated the beauty and functionality of everyday objects, but his creative genius spanned across wood carving, calligraphy, sculpture, and even writing. He imbued his work with poetic intuition and a deep respect for functional beauty, that continues to inspire.
In 1937, Kanjiro designed his Kyoto residence with a singular vision: to create a seamless fusion between home and workshop. Located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, the house was conceived as a vibrant living space where everyday life and creative practice intersected. It was built to accommodate not only his living quarters but also a studio and a climbing kiln. Every element of the space—from the fixtures to the furnishings (chairs?)—bears his distinctive mark, creating an intimate experience for visitors.
Climbing Kiln
Notably, the house still hosts his original wood-fired kilns—with chambers capable of reaching temperatures between 850°C and 1,150°C—that were integral to his craft.
The climbing kiln, known in Japanese as the noborigama, dates back centuries in Japan and was already an established method for firing ceramics. What Kanjiro did was build his own climbing kiln in 1920 for his studio in Kyoto—a personal adaptation of a traditional technique rather than a new invention. His kiln allowed him to experiment with innovative glaze techniques and firing methods, which in turn had a significant impact on modern studio pottery and the mingei (folk art) movement. This adaptation was part of his broader commitment to blending traditional craftsmanship with new ideas, not an attempt to reinvent the kiln design itself.
The noborigama had long been used by potters to achieve multiple firing temperatures and effects by firing several chambers simultaneously on a slope. Kanjiro’s choice to use this kiln was rooted in his respect for traditional methods and his desire to harness their unique qualities in his work. His focus was more on the artistic innovations in glaze application and form rather than on the kiln's structural design.
Photos of the climbing kiln at Kawai Kanjiro's house.
Chairs and Pottery
The Kanjiro house is well-preserved, offering a glimpse into the daily life of a modern Japanese artist of the early 20th century. Walking through its rooms, you encounter ceramics, calligraphies, wood carvings, personal collections, and furnishings. Traditional elements, such as sliding shoji screens, wooden lattices, and an authentic hearth, combine with Western design.
As you would expect there are interesting pieces of pottery throughout the house as it might have been. In the studio area, pottery is arranged more as if for an exhibition, but still pleasing.
We were also struck by the interesting variety of chairs we saw in the Kanjiro house. We were wondering if Kanjiro designed them, had them made or simply purchased them. They all looked severe yet comfortable, improbable yet organic.
We were also struck by the interesting variety of chairs we saw in the Kanjiro house. We were wondering if Kanjiro designed them, had them made or simply purchased them. They all looked severe yet comfortable, improbable yet organic.
Pottery we saw in Kawai Kanjiro's house.
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