KANESHO TOKI

Kanesho Toki was founded in 1872 by Kan’ichirō Sawada. He established his pottery kiln in the city of Toki, Gifu Prefecture, and specialised in Mino ceramics, which were prized by tea ceremony masters such as Sen no Rikyū and flourished from around 1600 onwards.
This pottery, renowned for its diverse colour palettes — notably Oribe, Shino, Kise-to and Seto-kuro — has its roots here.
The region is steeped in a history and culture of pottery passed down by the ancestors of Kanesho Toki’s master artisans, along with the expertise, techniques and passion for craftsmanship that they are proud to share with the world.
For more than 150 years, Kanesho Toki has promoted Mino pottery both in Japan and internationally.
The company sees its mission as preserving this tradition and culture and sharing the full appeal of Mino pottery with the world.
Today, Kanesho Toki’s workshops are located at the top of Shizuki Pass in the city of Toki, Gifu Prefecture.
Kanasho Toki’s premium products are known on the Japanese market under the Shizuki-gama brand (gama = kama = kiln), born of the vision of Yoshio Sawada, the fourth-generation head of the family. He also established the Kiraku-an gallery and Japanese tea room at the company’s headquarters.
The philosophy of Atsushi Sawada, the fifth-generation head of the family and current company president:
‘We hope to be like the moon, continuing to shine a light on our customers through the ages. We are committed to passing on the appeal of our pottery just as it is. Even within tradition, we seek innovation and strive to create tableware that continues to move people. We hope to give you the thrill of discovering that one-of-a-kind piece you have always dreamed of finding. We are committed to offering you unique pieces that are sure to touch your heart.’