Key Facts
• On July 18, Nagayo Town Board of Education announced the discovery of kiln remains.
• Found near Nagayo Sarayama Kiln Site in Ureshi-go, Nagasaki Prefecture.
• Believed to be an Edo Period akae (overglaze enamel) kiln.
• First such discovery in Nagasaki Prefecture; rare nationwide.
• Akae kilns are low-temperature kilns used for overglaze enamel firing.
• Remains include a 1.1-meter circular burnt soil area, surrounded by stones and bricks.
• Discovered during an excavation in April 2025, prompted by private land development.
• Related artifacts include Edo Period pottery fragments and kiln tools.
• Nagayo Sarayama Kiln Site previously produced daily-use ceramics and Nagayo Sansai (three-color ceramics).
• Connection between the kiln and Nagayo Sansai remains unconfirmed.
• Public briefing scheduled for July 26 at the Nagayo Sarayama Kiln Site.
Summary
Archaeologists in Nagayo, Nagasaki Prefecture, have unearthed what is believed to be an Edo Period akae kiln near the Nagayo Sarayama Kiln Site. This marks the first discovery of its kind in the prefecture and is considered rare nationwide. Akae kilns, known for their low-temperature firing of overglaze enamels, were identified based on structural features and surrounding artifacts, including pottery fragments and kiln tools. The site is historically linked to the production of Nagayo Sansai, a type of high-end ceramic, though no direct evidence has yet confirmed the kiln’s role in its creation. The Nagayo Town Board of Education plans to expand investigations and will host a public briefing on July 26 to share findings. This discovery sheds light on the region’s ceramic history and raises questions about the production methods of Nagayo Sansai.
