5. Ono Kiln (1819-1872)

Ono kiln was started in 1819 in Ono Village, Nomi District (now Ono Town, Komatsu City) by Rokuemon Yabu, who left Wakasugi Kiln after Sadakichi's death. Rokuemon learned pottery from Honda Sadakichi at Wakasugi Kiln.
He began making pottery using clay from Hanita, Yawata, and Motoe in nearby villages, but it is said that he was unable to make a good base. In 1822, with the help of the county magistrate, the business gradually got on track, and in 1830, high-quality pottery stone was discovered in Nabetani Village, the same county, and efforts were made to improve the pottery. We are now able to produce quality products. Thus, during the Tenpo era, the master craftsman of the time was hired as the main craftsman for customers, and it reached its peak.
In 1831, Gen'emon Aoya served as the main builder for the customers, making full use of his skills and experience to develop the kiln. In 1832, Shoshichi (Shozo Kutani's childhood name) moved from Wakasugi Kiln at the request of Rokuemon Yabu of Ono Village. It is said that with the addition of Shoshichi, many fine products began to be produced. It is also said that around the 6th year of Tenpo, Isaburo Saita often visited the Onogama kiln from a neighboring village and assisted in the operation of the kiln, as well as in making the base and improving the overglaze techniques. For a short period of time, Kikusaburo Matsuya, who had returned to his hometown after training in Kyoto, also participated, and the kiln became popular.
However, as the main painters for customers were replaced, the kiln gradually lost its momentum, and in 1841, by order of the domain, Zendayu Sakano, the Tomura Yaku of Ichinori Village, took over the management and established the domain kiln ``Onoyama Pottery Works''. The company continued to develop sales channels for senior retainers of the domain and gifts, but in 1847, when Gen'emon left for Rendaiji Kiln, the kiln became a supplier of raw materials to the surrounding area. It is said that Zendayu, who had devoted himself to the management of this kiln for over 20 years, resigned, and in 1869, Rokuemon Yabu took over again, but in 1872, when Rokuemon passed away, the kiln was abandoned.