Mumyoi is the name of the clay harvested from the Sado Gold Mine. The local pottery made using this clay is therefore called Mumyoiyaki (Mumyoi ware) and has been produced since the late Edo period. It is believed that an ancestor of the local potter and designated national living treasure Ito Sekisui, now in the sixth generation, was the inventor of Mumyoiyaki pottery.
Besides its distinct reddish color owing to a rich iron oxide content, a number of characteristics make this kind of ware outstanding: The clay is extremely fine-grained causing it to shrink about 30% in size after baking (compared to normal pottery which shrinks only 10-15%) endowing the ware with exceptional hardness and a clear metallic sound when tapped. Moreover, the clay allegedly has medicinal properties effective in treating maladies like gout, gastrointestinal diseases or burns which you can even benefit from just by drinking out of a Mumyoiyaki cup as the ion layer of the iron comes off gradually and the particles get ingested in minute amounts.
Although it is mainly produced in Aikawa area close to the Gold Mine, you will find Mumyoiyaki ware by different potters being used in restaurants and bars across the island.
Since it is prohibited to take Mumyoi clay out of Sado Island in its pre-fired state, you cannot try your hands at this pottery experience unless you come to Sado Island! An experienced local potter will instruct and help you create your very own unique Mumyoi ware.
Book you Mumyoi ware pottery experience here:
https://en.enjoysado.net/activity/3027/
You can also go shopping for Mumyoi ware at Gyokudo Kiln or at Ito Sekisui‘s shop in Aikawa.
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