The origins of Doraku Kiln trace back to the Edo period, and today, it is under the stewardship of the 8th generation master, Michiho Fukumori. Fukumori, known not only for her expertise in ceramics but also as a chef, lends her culinary insights to the creation of Doraku Kiln’s pottery, earning admiration from professional chefs nationwide.
Each of Doraku’s clay pots is formed on a potter’s wheel by Doraku’s artisans, adhering to traditional methods and relying solely on locally sourced clay from Iga. This sets them apart from most donabe pots today, which are machine-cast using petalite—a mineral mined in Zimbabwe—to fill in pores. Petalite used in mass-produced donabe is a highly sought-after mineral ore also harvested for lithium battery, raising concerns about its sustainability and ethics. Doraku Kiln’s traditional approach not only preserves the integrity of the craft but also seamlessly integrates centuries-old tradition into modern-day living.
