A new exhibition is coming to MONV.MitsuMame Omoya in Kyoto's Nijo area: "Iwatani Kiln of Okayama: Bizen and Bitchu Celadon" runs from Saturday, September 5 to Sunday, October 4, 2026. Alongside the show, the gallery has released its full lineup of exhibitions planned for fall and winter 2026.
The exhibition brings together Bizen ware by Setsuo Watanabe and Bitchu celadon by Atsushi Watanabe, both working out of Okayama's Iwatani Kiln. Bizen ware channels the raw power of clay and flame, while Bitchu celadon carries a clear blue tone and a quiet, composed presence — two contrasting expressions born from the same kiln that together capture where Iwatani Kiln stands today.
Following the Iwatani Kiln exhibition, the gallery will hold further shows in sequence featuring Shimane's Sodeshi Kiln, woodworker Yoshihiro Kubota, and the Kurashiki Honzome Hand-Weaving Institute — sharing the appeal of handcrafted pottery, woodwork, and textiles that sit close to everyday life, all from its base in Kyoto's Nijo area.
Behind the Iwatani Kiln Exhibition
MONV.MitsuMame Omoya is a gallery and café that treats Mingei art and craft objects as more than items to view and buy — the space pairs them with food, tea, and flowers so that visitors can experience the work as part of daily life. "Iwatani Kiln of Okayama: Bizen and Bitchu Celadon" opens this fall and winter's program. Through the work of Iwatani Kiln — shaped over the years by a father and son working in Okayama, each in their own style — the exhibition introduces a world where the strength of unglazed clay and the quiet beauty of celadon resonate with one another.
Exhibition Highlights
1. Bizen Ware and Bitchu Celadon: Two Expressions from One Kiln
Setsuo Watanabe's Bizen ware is simple and powerful, letting the force of clay and flame show directly in the surface of each piece. Sake vessels, flower vases, tea utensils, and everyday tableware all carry a warmth and a beauty rooted in daily use.
Atsushi Watanabe's Bitchu celadon, by contrast, draws on the tradition of Southern Song celadon while making full use of Bizen clay and other Okayama materials. Its clear blue glaze, the red crackle lines that surface across each piece, and a quiet inner strength are its defining qualities.
2. The Opening Chapter of the Fall and Winter Exhibition Lineup
This exhibition is the first in the gallery's 2026 fall and winter program. Starting with pottery from Okayama, the lineup continues on to a kiln in Shimane, woodwork, and Kurashiki weaving, building a fuller picture of regional handcraft across the season.
3. Experiencing Craft as Part of Daily Life at a Gallery and Café in Kyoto's Nijo Area
The venue, MONV.MitsuMame Omoya, combines a gallery and a café in one space. Rather than simply viewing the pieces on display, visitors can experience the craft as part of everyday life — pairing ceramics with food, vessels with flowers, woodwork with the interior space, and textiles with the texture of daily routine.
Fall and Winter 2026 Exhibition Schedule
Iwatani Kiln of Okayama: Bizen and Bitchu Celadon
Dates: Saturday, September 5 to Sunday, October 4, 2026
Details: Bizen ware by Setsuo Watanabe and Bitchu celadon by Atsushi Watanabe, on display and for sale
Sodeshi Kiln Exhibition
Dates: Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 15, 2026
Details: Works from Shimane's Sodeshi Kiln
Yoshihiro Kubota Woodwork Exhibition
Dates: Saturday, November 21 to Sunday, December 20, 2026
Details: Woodwork by Yoshihiro Kubota
Kurashiki Honzome Hand-Weaving Institute Notting Exhibition
Dates: Saturday, November 21 to Sunday, December 20, 2026
Details: Notting works by the Kurashiki Honzome Hand-Weaving Institute
Event Overview
Iwatani Kiln of Okayama: Bizen and Bitchu Celadon
Dates: Saturday, September 5 to Sunday, October 4, 2026
Hours: 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed: Mondays
Admission: Free
Venue: MONV.MitsuMame Omoya (Mitsumame Kyoto Suzaku, 1F, 3-8 Nishinokyo Ogura-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 604-8414)
