Cranes soar inside this set of five dishes from the Tosa domain on Shikoku. Outside waves crash about over the fawn spotted Gohon glaze. Each is clearly stamped on the base Odo. They are roughly 15 x 10 x 5 cm (6 x 4 x 2 inches) and all are in fine condition, but for one hairline crack.
In 1653, under the order of Tosa Domain's lord at the time, Yamanouchi Tadayoshi, a potter named Kuno Seihaku was invited from Osaka to open a kiln in Odo (present-day Kozu Town), located north of Kochi Castle. This marked the beginning of the production of "Oniwayaki" (a general term for pottery made at kilns established by feudal lords or castle lords who had an interest in pottery). At that time, the clay used was transported from Nojiyama, where high-quality clay could be found. In 1820 (the 3rd year of the Bunsei era), the kiln was moved to Nojiyama, and for about 50 years, until the Meiji period, porcelain was also produced. After the Meiji period, the kilns were privatized, and several kilns were opened around the Nojiyama area.
