Mashiko Japan Ceramics

Mashiko museum of ceramic art opened in june 1993.

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 s distinctive local red brown clay has been used to make everyday objects like water jugs since the 1850 s. In 1853 the trained potter and farmer keisaburo otsuka established his own individual kiln within the town district. The total area of the town is 89 40 square kilometres 34 52 sq mi.

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. 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. One during japan s golden week holiday in late april and early may and another in early november. 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. As of may 2015 the town had an estimated population of 23 400 and a population density of 240 persons per. 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. In 1951 the tochigi prefecture ceramics land industry cooperative now renamed mashiko ware cooperative was founded.

Above ceramic works by ken matsuzaki reflecting the natural surroundings of mashiko hills and woodlands. 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. The whole town hosts the event but most shops and tents set up along jonaizaka the main street.

In 1979 mashiko ware was designated as a national traditional craft. 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. Opportunities to purchase mashiko ware abound.

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. Mashiko museum of ceramic art. Located in japan s tochigi prefecture mashiko is a site of major historical importance for japanese ceramics.