The Pride and Glory of Tokoname Japan
The History of Ceramics in Eastern Asia
The discovery of earthen pots from pre-historic times is a clear indication that ancient men and women learned the value of storage early on. These are simple kitchenware that made their lives easier. The usage of clay jars for storage of water allowed these individuals to live slightly farther from the streams, compared to nomads who strongly relied on the presence of a water source for survival. These ancient men and women have also discovered that these earthen pots can be used for food storage allowing for lesser food spoilage. With lessened spoilage of food, these pre-historic people can travel farther.
The first records of earthenware in Japan were from the Jomon period or the pre-historic period of the country. These kinds of earthware were made from clay and are usually created to store water. Then, more discoveries led to additional information on more advanced earthenware from later periods. It was discovered that the Japanese are now influenced by neighbor country of China in using what was known as Haji ware and terracotta.
Later on, the country started importing ceramics from Korea and earthenware were transformed to stoneware – the same kind of earthenware but fired at higher temperatures. Then, it was only during the Nara periods that the colorful earthenware was discovered.
Through the centuries, Japan has seen developments in the production of earthenware, stoneware, ceramics, and porcelain. They have become wide importers of the product which bore strong resemblances with Chinese blue-and-white porcelain.
Tokoname Japan Ceramics
The small town of Tokoname in Japan is known for one of the Six Oldest Kilns in Japan. They are well known for a type of Japanese pottery which is unique from those produced in other parts of the country. One of the most popular kinds of Japanese pottery would be the Tokoname ware which was developed in Tokoname, Aichi prefecture in Japan starting the early Heian period. It is a system of firing up ceramics, pottery, stoneware, and porcelain through its special glazes.
What they are most popular for is what is known as the Climbing Kiln, or nobori-game which is a chambered line of kilns which was used for the mass production of stoneware and ceramics in Tokoname. They are known for exporting ceramic tiles starting the Taisho era which made the name Tokoname quite popular in many parts of the world. In fact, some potters in Japan are titled as Living National Treasures and National Intangible Cultural Asset because of their talents in creating ceramics.
Even though there are now more modern means of producing ceramics, Tokoname has been successful in keeping their traditions alive. Tokoname do not just produce jars and bowls, they produce more ceramics of different kinds. Among this would be wind chimes, pipes, bonsai pots, incense burners, and the famous redware teapots.
Tokoname Japanese Teapot
Teapots were only introduced to Japan when the tea culture in the country started to get popular not just as a leisurely drink but for its medicinal and therapeutic uses. In the Japanese culture, they prefer a non-conventional means of brewing their tea. Usually, they put either dried or fresh tea leaf into boiling water. Because of this, the tea pot has a special design and form. At this time, it is more important for them to be able to use the tea pot as a kettle and not just a means of storage.
The Tokoname Tea pot is a traditional style of earthenware which is unique from the typical teapot design in many parts of the world. This kind of tea pot has a unique handle and cover which is designed with traditional Japanese markings, making it distinct and unlike any other.
A typical tea pot has a spout that starts largely rounded and ends up with a small spout, the tokoname teapot is something else. It starts with a smaller orifice and ends up with a larger opening. This is to ensure that the dried or fresh leaves placed inside the pot will not be mixed in with the drink. It also has a side-handle which is different from a rounded handle from a typical tea pot. Instead, it has a stick-like shape which protrudes on the side of the tea pot. This is for make sure that the handle is always cool for pouring even if it came directly from the fire.
Tokoname Japan Guide
History of Tokoname Japan
It was only in the late 1800s when the Tokoname city was established due to the massive reorganization that happened during the Meiji Restoration. However, even though the current size and location of Tokoname were established so late, it does not mean that the traditions have not existed prior the 18th century.
Tokonome was known to have a smaller size prior the Meiji restoration. It was under the power of the Isshiki clan during the Edo period. At the latter years of the Shogunate era, the control of Tokonome was given to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the most popular battle lords of the time. Today, the towns of Onizaki, Nishimura, Ono, and Miwa are all under the governance of Tokoname City.
The city of Tokoname had always been associated with the production of ceramics since the early 7th century and they are best known for their unique Tokoname ware. Their products had been so popular at the time that they are recorded to have been imported into the different parts of Japan and the world. Archeological finds show that Tokoname ware had reached both the northernmost and southernmost parts of Japan.
Tokoname City Japan Location
This city in Japan is located in Aichi Prefecture, near the southeastern side of the main islands. It is a part of the Chubu region of Japan and is categorized with popular cities such as Nagoya, Shizuoka, Gifu, and more.
Specifically, the city can be found on the coast of Chita Peninsula facing the Ise-wan or Ise Bay. The total area of the city is about 55 square kilometers, smaller than other neighboring cities in Aichi prefecture. It has a population of about 57,000 locals.
Tokoname Japan Weather and Climate
Generally, just like in Nagoya Japan, the climate in the Aichi prefecture is both warm and temperate. The place experiences a significant amount of yearly rainfall with averages at about 1644 mm. Since it is located in the southeast part of the country, quite near the equator, it still experiences winter but with minimal snowfall.
The lowest temperature they experience on a yearly basis is about 1 to 8 degrees while the highest would be about 27 to 33 degrees Celsius. This means that it is notably hot during the summer season and still warm during the winter season.
Popular Potters from Tokoname
Koie Hokyu and Koie Hoju
This man, named Koie Hokyu, was considered as the leading potter of the Edo period and was the person that established the effectiveness of the “climbing kiln”. He may be one of the main power players in making the art of Tokoname ware popular throughout the country during his time. His son, Koie Hoju, was the person who established the modernized Tokoname ware into the Japanese culture by using the methods his father had developed to create other personal daily items such as pipes. These father and son duo are considered as the founders of Tokoname ware.
Yamada Jozan III
This man is a third generation member of a family of potters in the Tokoname region of Japan. Father, son, and grandson Yamada transformed traditional tokoname into modern forms which are commonly seen today. The father, Hamajiro Yamada, developed what is known as the Kintozan technique which makes tea pots by the wheel. He was known throughout Tokoname in being a master craftsman of Chinese-style tea pots. He was in the industry from 1868 to 1942.
His son, Makoto Yamada, made his own name by learning how to engrave. He turned his father’s simple works into works of art through his carving skills – an impressive deal for art collectors of his time. He was in the industry between 1897 and 1961. Makoto’s son, Minoru Yamada, was considered as a Living National Treasure in 1998. He gained worldwide attention by creating minimalistic and simplistic traditional Japanese tea pots which impressed potters all over the world. He was in the industry from the 1920s to 2005.
Getting Around Tokoname Japan
Tokoname Airport Japan: Centrair Tokoname Japan
The Chubu Centrair International Airport is a large airport which is located on an artificial island constructed off Ise-wan, right next to Tokoname City in Aichi prefecture. It is considered as a first class airport which is a hub for international airlines such as Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, AirAsia Japan, and Jetstar Japan.
The word Centrair is an abbreviation for the English translation of the airport’s name. In English, the word Chubu means “Central”. So, the full international name of the airport would be “Central Japan International Airport”. The word “centrair” combines “central and airport” – giving it an identity of becoming Japan’s central airport.
Tokoname Japan Rail
The main railway line that runs to the Tokoname city would be the Meitetsu Tokoname Line which is a private operating railway line. This railway line is operated by the Nagoya Railroad which connects the Tokoname Station to the Jingu-Mae station in Nagoya. Currently, this Meitetsu line can be accessed from the JR via the Nagoya station, if coming from different parts of the country like Tokyo.
Things to do Tokoname City Japan
Tokoname City Pottery footpath
Since Tokoname is known to be the center of pottery production in Japan even during the earlier times. Because of this they take pride in their craft and let visitors from all over the world experience them first hand. The pottery footpath is a long street, one is 1.6km long while the other is 4km long, that exhibits artwork from different local potters in the area.
One of this streets would be the Tokoname Maneki Neko street which is an entire length of artwork collections dedicated to the Maneki Neko. This is since Tokoname is the number one producer of the Maneki Neko dolls. The walls are constructed from bottle bottoms, pipes, kiln chimneys, and more. It gives an impressive overview of the history and beauty of ceramic production in Tokoname.
There are bars and restaurants that exhibit the beauty of local pottery and ceramics. Experiencing these first hand is always an enjoyable and worthy activity. Around the area has hotels that offer up tour services to the different museums, footpaths, and pottery tutorial centers. For those who want to learn a little bit about pottery, there are art schools available as well. For those who want to buy souvenirs, there are also stores which has parking lot.
Climbing Kiln Square
This place has a stack of 60 kilns which are built along a hillside, the kilns are inclined about 17 degrees of varying height. It was established in the late 1800s just before the Edo period ended. This was the ancient way of firing up tokoname pottery. This process firing up the ceramics provides enough heat to embrace the piece of work without directly exposing it to the flames.
There is a firebox at the edge and a chimney at the other where the heat travels upwards from the firebox to the chimney. The flooring is made up silica sand which does not easily heat up and clumps together when fired. This makes a beautiful glaze on the surface of the product. In Japanese, the climbing kiln is known as the Anagama kiln. This is unique to East Asian cultures and strongly resembles the climbing dragon kiln of China and Korea.
There are other types of kiln available in Japan, but this climbing kiln is what makes the Tokoname ware unique from all others. It makes it sturdier and less prone to breakage and cracks.