Mashiko Japan Ceramics

Mashiko s distinctive local red brown clay has been used to make everyday objects like water jugs since the 1850 s.

Mashiko japan ceramics. There is an almost endless variety of forms and styles which can be confusing until you realize that each evolved individually in different parts of japan. Mashiko museum of ceramic art opened in june 1993. The whole town hosts the event but most shops and tents set up along jonaizaka the main street. Other traditional arts like indigo dyeing and weaving have also flourished here.

Mashiko also keeps on evolving as a pottery producing area and a pottery market is held in the spring and fall every year. Mashiko 益子町 mashiko machi is a town located in tochigi prefecture japan as of 1 august 2020 the town had an estimated population of 21 841 in 7914 households and a population density of 240 persons per km. At ceramic art messe mashiko and its centerpiece mashiko museum of ceramic art you can view original pieces of mashiko ware that fuelled an explosion of creativity in this small town. We have since been collecting and exhibiting works by potters representative of mashiko such as shoji hamada and tatsuzo shimaoka as well as potters with connections to hamada.

Japanese ceramics are beloved by connoisseurs as some of the finest in the world. Above ceramic works by ken matsuzaki reflecting the natural surroundings of mashiko hills and woodlands. Located in japan s tochigi prefecture mashiko is a site of major historical importance for japanese ceramics. As of may 2015 the town had an estimated population of 23 400 and a population density of 240 persons per.

In 1979 mashiko ware was designated as a national traditional craft. Near utsunomiya the town mashiko 益子町 in tochigi prefecture is well known for its clay based pottery mashiko yaki that uses traditional techniques since the edo era. Opportunities to purchase mashiko ware abound. 3021 mashiko mashiko machi haga gun tochigi ken 321 4217 tel 81 0 285 72 7555 fax 81 0 285 72 7600.

Ceramics have played an enormous role in mashiko s history and culture. If you want to understand the craft of pottery in japan or to see some of the most unique examples there s no substitute to visiting one of the many. In our last article we wrote about the capital of dumplings and jazz utsunomiya now to change tones a bit japan kuru visits a town known for its pottery and ceramics industry. Mashiko hosts two pottery fairs every year.

In 1853 the trained potter and farmer keisaburo otsuka established his own individual kiln within the town district. In 1951 the tochigi prefecture ceramics land industry cooperative now renamed mashiko ware cooperative was founded. One during japan s golden week holiday in late april and early may and another in early november.