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.

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

Ceramics have played an enormous role in mashiko s history and culture. As of may 2015 the town had an estimated population of 23 400 and a population density of 240 persons per. 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. 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 museum of ceramic art. Mashiko museum of ceramic art opened in june 1993. Located in japan s tochigi prefecture mashiko is a site of major historical importance for japanese ceramics. 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.

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. In 1951 the tochigi prefecture ceramics land industry cooperative now renamed mashiko ware cooperative was founded. 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. 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.

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

In 1853 the trained potter and farmer keisaburo otsuka established his own individual kiln within the town district. Japanese ceramics are beloved by connoisseurs as some of the finest in the world. 3021 mashiko mashiko machi haga gun tochigi ken 321 4217 tel 81 0 285 72 7555 fax 81 0 285 72 7600.