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Tanba Pottery
is also named Tachikui Pottery after Tachikui,
the place of its origin, with its origination
being as far back as the last Heian-the early
Kamakura period (1180-1230). It is counted as
one of the ancient six potteries in Japan with
Seto, Tokoname, Shigaraki, Bizen and Echizen.
Every one is very fond of Tanba Pottery. Indeed,
anyone can see something of solid and elegant
simplicity (Shibui),coming from its simple and
calm appearance and its typical dark brown or
black glazing.
The village (Kondacho Tachikui, Sasayama-shi,
Hyogo-pref.) has very beautiful scenery, with
green hills in the east and west, and cultivated
fields between them, through which a stream, the
Shitodani, runs down from north to south. Ferrous
soil is abundant here. The kiln used here is of
very unusual shape and is built on the sloping
surface of a hill. It is inclined, and they call
it "Nobori Gama"(Inclined-kiln). The
stability and the elegant appearance of Tachikui
Pottery is produced in the favorable conditions
created by this unique kiln.
In ancient times they made pots, vases, bowls
and the like, only to be used by native people
here. In making pottery, they used "Ana Gama"
(Hole Kiln), not "Nobori Gama" and though
they did not use glaze, the pottery naturally
turned glassy with the smoke and ash in the kiln.
This is solid and beautiful, too, and known to
the world as "Old Tanba", which is now
found very often among the old works.
Glazed china appeared at the end of Momoyama period
(1611) and Nobori Gama came into use instead of
"Ana Gama". In Edo period, many fine
pieces of china were produced. The finest ones
were used mostly for tea ceremony, having been
much influenced by the thought of Enshu Kobori.
Thus, the tradition of pottery has been inherited
for 800 years in this beautiful setting. The beauty
of Tanba Pottery was introduced to the world by
Mr. Muneyoshi Yanagi who was the founder of the
Japan Fork Crafts Museum. Now many lovers of chinaware
take great interest in Tanba Pottery and visit
here from various countries around the world.
Mr. Bernard Leach, the famous ceramic artist in
England, has been here very often and appreciated
the art of Tanba Pottery . Miss Janet Darnell,
an American woman writer, who became Mrs. Leach,
stayed here and studied the Technique of "Tanba".
The special kiln, "Nobori Gama", which
has been used here since Momoyama period, can
be found nowhere else but Tachikui, and is so
unique and old that the Goverment has added it
to the Intangible Cultural Properties, so that
this may remain forever.
The pottery makers at Tachikui are working with
modesty and sincerity, living their lives as farmers,
and as artists, keeping in their minds the pride
of having inherited this kiln and soil for 800
years.
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TANBA TRADITIONAL ART CRAFT
PARK
SUE NO SATO
3 Kondacho Kamitachikui, Sasayama-shi
Hyogo-pref. 669-2135
TEL:079-597-2034
e-mail: info@tanbayaki.com
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