Kutaniyaki (Kutani Pottery)
Pottery, a crystal ligation of earth and flame, was once flourishing in Komatsu as artistic kutaniyaki using gosai (five colors) and kinsai (gold). Denemon Yoshidaya, a sake brewer, rice trader, and financier, tried to revive kutaniyaki in the beginning of the Nineteenth Century. The kiln was called the Yoshidayagama. In 1826, Yoshidaya established pottery sadame (rules) for potters, whose ten articles prohibited gambling, quarrels, banquets, and receiving direct orders from consumers, provided sick potters with food and drink, and established a pottery job placement clearinghouse for potters from other territories. the Yoshidayagama in those days produced the so-called aokutani, using only navy blue, green, yellow, and violet. A master craftsman in later days devised akaekintante (pottery painted in red and gold).