Inkyuuzan-yaki is a pottery kiln in Tottori with a history of more than 300 years, led today by 10th-generation potter Yasunori Ashizawa. Established in the Edo period, it was the official kiln of the ruling Tottori Clan, producing pottery exclusively for use within the castle or as gifts. The kiln continues to operate by traditional methods today.

Inkyuuzan-yaki vessels are made from local clay harvested in the neighborhood, with straw ash and ash glaze produced from the ashes of trees. The work is hand-thrown on a heavy, old-fashioned wheel and wood-fired for roughly 50 hours in the kiln's climbing kiln. The colors and textures of Inkyuuzan-yaki vessels can only be created through this laborious traditional process. Controlling the outcome is difficult when working with materials found only in nature, but Ashizawa relies on his master's skill and intuition. Depending on placement in the kiln, vessels emerging from the two-day firing can have markedly different textures and colors. As Ashizawa puts it, "Laying eyes on my work fresh from the kiln is my greatest joy."

Ashizawa took over the more than 300-year-old kiln in the 1990s. When he was young, he didn't have a strong appreciation for his family's pottery — he thought the designs too simple and the colors too classic. After apprenticing under his father and making pottery for over thirty years, he came to recognize the depth of vessels made with techniques handed down across generations.

Today, Ashizawa's practice balances tradition with personal voice. He continues to adhere closely to traditional methods when crafting chawan — ceremonial tea bowls considered the pinnacle of Inkyuuzan-yaki — while also experimenting with glazes and forms suited to contemporary life. Through this dual approach, the popularity of the craft continues to spread, and a 300-year tradition is kept alive and well.