Mikasa ware

It is relatively unknown that, in 1905, the first Kozan Miyagawa built his kiln of Mikasa ware in Karuizawa.
The Mikasa kiln was built at the time when the businessman Naoyoshi Yamamoto (1870 to 1945) opened Mikasa Hotel, which is referred to as Rokumei-kan Pavilion in Karuizawa. He decided to create a new type of pottery using pumice stones from Mt. Asama for the purpose of activating the local industry, and asked Kozan to be a guide in the challenge at the kiln to be built.
However, he faced difficulties one after another until the kiln was opened. Kozan sent a number of apprentices to the kiln in Karuizawa, repeatedly failing to make the new pottery be successfully fired. After six times of trial firing in five months, Kizan Idaka (1881 to 1967), one of his apprentices, finally succeeded. Kozan sent a letter to Kizan, starting with a phrase “Amazingly good job!”. Kozan wrote, with delightedness, “I read your letter telling me about the successful firing. Your constant study has brought about the success. I am very honored and extremely pleased”.
It has been revealed that, although Kozen put Kizan and another apprentice Koshu Mori in charge of operating the Mikasa kiln under his advice, guidance, and supervision through letters, he himself visited Karuizawa several times to make pottery and give instructions.

In the Mikasa kiln that was opened after overcoming many difficulties, pottery making continued only for 10 years until 1916. Further, the small kiln had to be closed during winter due to snow. Therefore, only a small number of Mikasa ware pieces are existing today.