This is an old kiln in Aza Ayuki, Hobashira, Kitahata-mura, Higashimatsuura-gun, Saga Prefecture.
It is the oldest kiln in which Karatsu ware clearly appears in history. It is famous for the remains of a split bamboo climbing kiln. The kiln was opened in 1321-24 and closed in 1594. Its products include jars, tokutsu, suribachi, kataguchi, deep bowls, large bowls, tea bowls, rim-naburi plates, tsurodate plates, round plates, medium sized cups, sake cups, water jars, and matcha bowls, all with black-green or grayish-white glaze. In the mid-19th century, the use of ekaratsu (painted karatsu) began, and in the late 19th century, the use of katagami (pattern paper) began. The side kiln located in the same area is a branch kiln of this kiln, which seems to have been the first to produce Karatsu skin whale hands.
