Traditional Crafts in Aichi

History of manufacturing districts

One of Japan’s six old kilns, the area started producing ceramics at the end of the Heian period (794-1192).
Ceramic ware for daily use (including large pots and jars) was famous from ancient times. Tea bowls and other tea ceremony items in the Momoyama period (ruled by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the latter half of the 16th century) and shudei (red clay)-yaki, hakudei (white clay)-yaki and hiiro (fire color)-yaki in the Edo period (1603-1867) (which took advantage of the characteristics of iron-rich clay produced in the area) laid the foundations of what Tokoname is today.

Features of the products

Abundant and high-quality clay is used to manufacture a wide variety of products. In particular, shudei-yaki (which takes advantage of iron in the clay to develop a red color) is well-known as a leading product of Tokonameyaki.

Manufacturing method

After being formed (with a potter's wheel or a press mold, or by a manual process), the workpiece is burnished on the surface with a piece of cloth (a unique process in Tokonameyaki), carved and glazed before firing. Salt is used in the final firing process (another unique process in Tokonameyaki) because Tokoname is located near the sea. In the case of unglazed products, feathers are used to polish and gloss the surface after firing.