Miyama Workshop Tsuchidango
Toshiyuki Kaneda
Hello! This was my first visit to Miyama Workshop.
I had imagined a strict and intense pottery master. Instead, I met someone warm, approachable, and always smiling.
When I mentioned the idea of an apprenticeship experience, he laughed and said, “I’ve never taken on an apprentice before.”
Kaneda carries on the tradition of Miyama-yaki, a style of pottery rooted in Narushima ware. This tradition dates back to the Edo period, when Uesugi Yozan, the 9th lord of the Yonezawa domain, promoted local industries to rebuild the region.
Today, Kaneda continues to keep the kiln fire burning, preserving this heritage for future generations.
A Chance Encounter with Pottery
Born in 1966 in Shirataka Town, Yamagata, Kaneda began his career working at a local company.
While searching for something he truly wanted to do, he changed jobs several times.
A turning point came when he casually visited a gallery in Aoyama, Tokyo.
There, he saw a ceramic plate with a bold, unconventional design, as if part of it had been torn away.
“I thought, maybe I could make something like this,” he recalls.
That simple thought sparked his interest in pottery.
Falling in Love with the Craft
Until then, Kaneda had never been interested in pottery.
He later discovered a local workshop in Shirataka that produced Miyama-yaki.
He began attending pottery classes taught by Umemura, who would later become his mentor.
Over time, he became deeply drawn to the craft and its complexity.
A Bold Decision to Start Over
As his passion grew, Kaneda made a life-changing decision.
While his wife was in the hospital preparing to give birth to their first daughter, he told her, “I’m going to quit my job and become a potter.”
Looking back, he laughs and admits, “That probably wasn’t the best timing.”
He formally became an apprentice under Umemura and began his new life as a potter.
Eager to learn more, he also traveled to Mashiko in Tochigi Prefecture, a well-known pottery town, to further develop his skills.
Balancing Craft and Family
He spent time training alone in Mashiko, leaving his wife and daughter behind.
After about six months, his wife, who was busy with childcare and daily life, told him, “Enough is enough. You need to think about your family, too.”
From then on, he traveled back and forth between Mashiko and his hometown.
Gradually, he began selling his work at pottery markets and gained confidence as a ceramic artist.
After his mentor passed away, Kaneda took over the workshop in 2003, continuing the legacy of Miyama-yaki.
Rebuilding After the Earthquake
On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake caused the climbing kiln built by his mentor to collapse.
Determined to preserve the tradition, Kaneda launched a project with supporters to rebuild the kiln.
Thanks to the support of many people, the kiln was restored.
More than 20 years after becoming a potter, Kaneda continues to create new works while honoring tradition.
One of his most popular creations is the zodiac figurine.
Each piece is handmade every year with an original design, known for its charming expressions and unique forms.
Crafting with Dedication
Toward the end of each year, Kaneda becomes fully occupied with producing zodiac figurines, often working through the New Year holidays due to high demand.
These figurines are typically meant to be displayed at the start of the New Year. However, such is their popularity that last year, the final pieces were not delivered until October.
