The origins of Seizan-gama trace back to the Edo period,
when our ancestor Kawazoe Kuranosuke served the Nabeshima domain kiln.
As a steward of the Okawachiyama region, Kuranosuke left his mark on local culture,
contributing to pilgrimages to Ise and the construction of shrines, among other endeavors.
The History of Seizan
【 Founding 】
Although the domain kiln ceased operations in 1871 following the abolition of the feudal system,
Seizan-gama was reborn in 1883 when Kawazoe Hanzaburō established it as a private kiln.
Building on the legacy of the Nabeshima tradition, he set out to craft vessels that would speak to the changing times.
【 Craft and Innovation 】
In 1910, the second generation, Torajirō Kawazoe, and his brother, Tamenosuke, joined the family kiln.
They developed Seizan-gama’s distinctive kiln-transformed glazes and showcased their work at exhibitions nationwide, earning acclaim and expanding the kiln’s reputation.
【 Into the Present 】
For over 140 years, Seizan-gama has continued to shape vessels rooted in the refined aesthetics of Nabeshima, attuning to the spirit of each era.
Honoring tradition while embracing the sensibilities of modern life, we continue to craft vessels that bring renewed vitality and quiet beauty to daily living.History of Seizan-gama.
The Spirit of Seizan
Between Tradition and Creation
What we now call “tradition” was once the bold frontier of its time —
the proof that someone dared to begin anew.
At Seizan, we honor that spirit.
Like the artisans who came before us,we face the changing present with courage,and weave new beauty from the fire of today.
No one can say which path is right.
Even so, we walk forward, to preserve beauty and hand it to the generations to come.
Each day, we return to the flame, seeking our answer there.
— Shiro Kawazoe, Fifth-generation Master of Seizan Kiln
Profile
【Fifth Generation Master – Kawazoe Shirō】
After graduating from Keio University,
Shirō Kawazoe joined a leading Japanese advertising agency,
where he immersed himself in brand strategy and creative storytelling.
With a refined eye for the spirit of the times and the power to weave narratives,
he returned to his hometown of Imari to inherit the legacy of
Seizan Kiln as its fifth-generation master.
Rooted in the timeless aesthetics of Nabeshima,
he explores how vessels can harmonize with contemporary life.
Rather than simply preserving tradition,
he quietly renews the history he has inherited,
creating works that carry beauty through the passage of time and convey the enduring spirit of Seizan Kiln today.