Tokoname ware

Pottery made in Tokoname dates back to the 12th century. During the Heian period, what is now called Tokoname ware was already part of daily life. A kiln known as the Takasaka kiln was built in the 14th century. Towards the end of the Edo period in the late 19th century, Koie Hokyu completed a chambered "climbing kiln" (nobori-gama). The excellent reputation of modern Tokoname ware was established by his son Koie Hoju. He laid the foundations for earthenware pipe making and introduced the redware for which the town became renowned. A statue was later put up in his honour in the town.

The construction of the Meitetsu Tokoname Line in the Meiji era encouraged production and provided transportation for the increasing tile production during the Taishō era.

The traditions behind Tokoname ware have been kept alive by generations of potters. In 1998, third-generation potter Yamada Jōzan III (三代山田常山 1924–2006) was named a Living National Treasure, after being recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Asset for making small pouring vessels. His son Yamada Jōzan IV (b. 1954) assumed his father's title after his death. Another noted potter from the Shōwa era was Ezaki Issei (江崎一生 1918–1992).{{cite web

| url = http://toku-art.seesaa.net/article/55285266.html

| title = A New Torch-Bearer of Tea Ceramics for the 21st Century: Toku Art -Contemporary Japanese Ceramics & Applied Arts

| publisher =

| access-date = 2016-06-28

| archive-date = 2016-08-12

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160812024904/http://toku-art.seesaa.net/article/55285266.html

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web

| url = http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/trio-sv.html

| title = Wonderful Trio – Japanese Sake Vessels

| publisher =

| access-date = 2016-06-28

| archive-date = 2016-04-03

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160403035321/http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/trio-sv.html

| url-status = live

}} His students were Takeuchi Kimiaki (竹内公明 1948–2011){{Cite web | url=https://www.daiichiarts.com/takeuchi-kimiaki | title=Unknown }}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 | fix-attempted=yes}} and Osako Mikio (大迫みきお 1940–1995).{{cite web|url = https://albedo3studio.blogspot.com/2011_12_07_archive.html|title = A Flare for the Dramatic|date = 7 December 2011|access-date = 4 March 2020|archive-date = 28 November 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181128113626/http://albedo3studio.blogspot.com/2011_12_07_archive.html|url-status = live}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.daiichiarts.com/new-pieces/osako-mikio-natural-glaze-jar | title=Unknown}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 | fix-attempted=yes}} In January 2007, Tokoname was officially protected as a local brand.

Products that Tokoname is renowned for today are wind chimes, redware tea pots, shochu servers, tea incense burners. Industrial production also covered roof tiles, toilet seats and water pipelines. Antique bonsai pots are collector items and are still produced today.{{Cite web|url=http://tokonamebonsaipots.com/index.html|title=TOKONAME BONSAI POTS|website=TOKONAME BONSAI POTS|access-date=2023-08-28|archive-date=2022-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201235401/http://tokonamebonsaipots.com/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bonsaioutlet.com/japanese-pots-tokaname/|title=Huge Selection of Japanese Tokoname Bonsai Pots | They sell fast!|access-date=2020-12-07|archive-date=2021-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114045359/https://www.bonsaioutlet.com/japanese-pots-tokaname/|url-status=live}} The manufacturer INAX operates a number of museums in Tokoname that showcase the history of industrial production.{{cite web|url=https://www.livingculture.lixil/en/ilm/|title=Inax Museums | Living Culture|access-date=2020-03-04|archive-date=2019-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426152348/https://www.livingculture.lixil/en/ilm/|url-status=live}}

Tokoname ware can be found through the Tokoname Pottery Association Cooperative Union, the Tokoname Pottery Wholesale Association and the Tokoname ware wholesale centre Ceramall.{{cite web

| url = http://www.tac-net.ne.jp/~orosisho/

| title = 常滑陶磁器卸商業協同組合

| publisher =

| access-date = 2014-04-27

| archive-date = 2014-04-27

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140427231954/http://www.tac-net.ne.jp/~orosisho/

| url-status = live

}}

File:Yakimonosanpomichi2.JPG

About 60 climbing kilns formerly operated in Tokoname. The Tōei Kiln (陶栄窯) is a climbing kiln (nobori-gama) that was constructed in Meiji 20 (1887) and used until Shōwa 49 (1974). It is the largest climbing kiln existing in Japan. It was designated as an Important Tangible Cultural Property by the government in Shōwa 57 (1982). It has eight firing chambers running a 17° incline and ten chimneys of varying height.

File:Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum (75).jpg tea pot, Taishō era ca. 1921–1925, by Yamada Jōzan I]]

• Seto ware
• List of Traditional Crafts of Japan

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• [http://www.tokonameyaki.or.jp/ Homepage of the Tokoname ware Cooperated Association]
• [http://www.ceramall.or.jp/ Homepage of Ceramall]
• [http://zenjapanstyle.com/ Zen Japan Style], a global market site of Tokoname ware
• [http://www.e-yakimono.net/guide/html/tokoname.html TOKONAME Menu - EY Net Japanese Pottery Primer]

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Category:Culture in Aichi Prefecture

Category:Japanese pottery

Category:Tokoname