Kyo-uchiwa

The Japanese round fan, or uchiwa, is said to have been used by the Imperial Court, as well as in Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies since the Nara period (8^th century). Kyo-uchiwa are distinguished by their “inserted design” structure, in which the surface of the fan and its design are made separately and the pattern is inserted later. Waving a fan not only allows you to enjoy a cool breeze, but the sight of it is said to refresh the spirit.

Kyō-yaki and Kiyōmizu-yaki

Ever since the Momoyama period (1574-1600), pottery made in Kyoto has been referred to by the generic name, Kyō-yaki (Kyoto-ware). At the start of the Edo period (1603-1868), the Tamba potter Ninsei Nonomura (1648-1690) came to Kyoto and established a method of producing overglaze-enameled pottery with an elegant touch. Items produced in front of the gate leading to Kiyōmizu temple became known as Kiyōmizu-yaki, but, after the Edo period, the term gradually became synonymous with Kyō-yaki.