Journeys in Japan

Following a Samurai Tea Master (9x11)

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The distinctive style of pottery known as Oribe ware made its appearance in Japan towards the end of the 16th century. With its uneven, misshapen appearance, bold colors and eccentric designs, it was an astonishing new style - and one that still seems modern and appealing today. The origins of this pottery are attributed to the samurai warlord Furuta Oribe. Born at a time when Japan was riven by civil war, he became a leading tea master and aesthete. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, David Wells travels to Kyoto, Gifu and Osaka, tracing the lifeline of Furuta Oribe to discover the roots of Oribe ware.