The word "Noborigama" loosely means "step-climbing kiln." The initial firebox chamber is at the bottom with the other chambers being higher on a slope in step-wise fashion as seen in this photo. The wood in the first or bottom chamber is stoked. Eventually each chamber preheats the next higher chamber. Each chamber can be fired in different ways with different ingredients and temperatures. The Noborigama kiln shown in this photo is no longer being used. In general wood fired kilns are rarely used in creating Kutani pottery. Almost all current Kutani pottery are fired in gas-fired or electric kilns.
Kutani pottery has its origins in the 1600's and has gone through various phases since that time. All the phases seem to be characterized by dynamic colors, and rich designs and images.
Some of the facilities at the Kutani Pottery Village are two Kutani pottery museums, a facility to learn how to create and paint pottery and 13 stores where Kutani pottery is sold.
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