Mashiko Japan Ceramics

A local of the nearby kasama ceramics town otsuka had discovered as had early settlers before him that the local geography of mashiko included stoneware clay.

Mashiko japan ceramics.

The total area of the town is 89 40 square kilometres 34 52 sq mi. Mashiko hosts two pottery fairs every year. In 1979 mashiko ware was designated as a national traditional craft. 3021 mashiko mashiko machi haga gun tochigi ken 321 4217 tel 81 0 285 72 7555 fax 81 0 285 72 7600.

In 1951 the tochigi prefecture ceramics land industry cooperative now renamed mashiko ware cooperative was founded. Mashiko museum of ceramic art. Located in japan s tochigi prefecture mashiko is a site of major historical importance for japanese ceramics. In 1853 the trained potter and farmer keisaburo otsuka established his own individual kiln within the town district.

The whole town hosts the event but most shops and tents set up along jonaizaka the main street. 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. Ceramics have played an enormous role in mashiko s history and culture. 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 s distinctive local red brown clay has been used to make everyday objects like water jugs since the 1850 s. As of may 2015 the town had an estimated population of 23 400 and a population density of 240 persons per. One during japan s golden week holiday in late april and early may and another in early november. Other traditional arts like indigo dyeing and weaving have also flourished here.

Japanese ceramics are beloved by connoisseurs as some of the finest in the world. Mashiko museum of ceramic art opened in june 1993. 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.

Above ceramic works by ken matsuzaki reflecting the natural surroundings of mashiko hills and woodlands. 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. Mashiko also keeps on evolving as a pottery producing area and a pottery market is held in the spring and fall every year.