The elusive and famous ”Ashiya-kama”

幻の名器　芦屋釜

An ’Ashiya-kama’ is a type of iron kettle from The Period of the Northern and Southern Courts that was made at the Ashiyatsu Kanaya (the current address is near Nakanohama, Ashiya-machi, Onga-gun Fukuoka prefecture) . Gracefully shaped in a manner referred to as ’shin-nari’, the designs inscribed on the bodies of these iron kettles were a favorite of the aristocrats in the Imperial Capital-- so much so that you could say their mouths would water for it. Around the time of the early Edo period the manufacturing of these iron kettles stopped, but in modern times Ashiya-kama pots are highly prized as centerpieces for tea ceremonies. Even today the artistry and craftsmanship of these kettles is highly valued, and among the 9 teakettles designated as Important Cultural Properties, 8 of them are Ashiya-kamas.

Address (Japanese)	807-0141　福岡県遠賀郡芦屋町大字山鹿1558-3
Address	1558-3 Oaza Yamaga, Ashiya Town, Onga County, Fukuoka-ken
Telephone Number	093-223-5881（芦屋釜の里）
Contact	Ashiya-kama-no-sato
Car Park	Yes
Access	40 minutes by car from JR Kokura Station 70 minutes by car from JR Hakata Station
Website	https://ashiyakankou.com/ashiyagama/