November 1, 2013

• Tokoname

  

  We start the trip from Tokoname Station. I am standing across the street and standing in what is apparently a very popular parking lot and am just about getting run over several times.

  

  The first stop is the Tokoname Shiryokan that tells the history of the area's ceramic industry.

  

  This is a plate designed by the artist Okamoto Taro.

  

  Look! The Shard Queen!

  

  Tokoname also produced ceramic pipe.

  

  Here are some tools that were used to imprint designs on the pottery.

  
  

  

  These are molds for decorative motifs.

  

  Here are some huge ceramic vats for storing jet fuel, as metal was in short supply at the time.

  

  This is how pots were stacked in the kiln for firing. The straw kept the pots separated until they burned away. Not sure what happened after that.

  

  These small pieces were put in the kiln and taken out occasionally to check the temperature inside.

  

  They even produced kitchen sinks.

  

  Bricks for Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel were made in Tokoname.

  

  Here is a very fancy teapot!

  

  Having a good time?

  

  Unused pipes lined up outside the museum

  

  A very old Tokoname jar from the Heian Period

  

  Pipes and onions were discarded by the roadside - not sure why.

  

  More large vats outside

  

  How about a ceramic bathtub? If you have to ask how much, you might as well forget it.

  

  Now here is a nice powder room sink.

  

  Yet another kiln

  

  This frog is actually a huge water container.

  

  Let's keep following the kiln road.

  

  Many buildings were in disrepair.

  

  Anyone getting hungry?

  

  Here is a roasted rice ball shop.

  

  Now that just hits the spot!

  

  This is the restored home of a local shipping merchant family, the Takitas.

  

  We have to go around to the side of the property to get in. The wall on the right is made of ceramic jugs.

  

  The model makes everything look better.

  

  Let's take a look at those jugs.

  

  Jugs, jugs and more jugs

  

  This is the main building.

  

  Here is a view from inside the Takita home.

  

  Another view from inside of the garden

  

  Another building on the property

  

  Here is a model of one of the Takita family's fleet.

  

  Continuing on... This path is lined with a different kind of pipe.

  
  

  

  The pavement is made of discarded roof tiles turned sideways, and the walls are more jugs and pipes.

  

  A pipe wall

  

  Dotter said that this place was interesting and recommended a stop inside.

  

  Hey, we used to have a bunch of these sitting on the piano in the living room until one or both of my brothers knocked them off.

  

  This explains that the Tokoname area made many kinds of knick knacks until the Yen/Dollar rate changed and made their production unprofitable.

  

  See all of the moogles for sale?

  

  Here is the outside of the shop.

  

  This is one of the moogle shop's windows.

  

  Ok, let's continue on the journey. The path takes us around to the back of the novelty ceramics shop.

  

  This is the back of the novelty ceramics shop. As you can see, as with many of the buildings, this could do with a few repairs!

  
  

  

  Now here is a true thing of beauty!

  

  This tin roof shelters a large kiln.

  

  Hmm... Someone is hiding under her hoodie. Are there bees flying overhead?

  

  This is the inside of one of the kiln's chambers.

  

  These are chambers of the kiln in which the pieces of pottery to be fired are inserted.

  
  

  

  Here are some holes to accomodate the wood for the firing.

  

  Hmmm - what are these random objects for?

  
  

  

  Let's go a bit farther. As you see, the junk becomes more elaborate.

  
  

  

  There are signs that request that none of the artwork be removed from the premises.

  
  

  

  I don't understand some folk's definition of decor!

  
  

  

  Let's keep following the path.

  
  

  

  Like I said, I don't understand some people's definition of decor.

  
  

  

  More kilns

  

  This is some interesting pavement!

  

  Takin' pictures

  
  

  

  Here are a couple of vases melted together - drama in the kiln!

  

  

  Here is another kiln.

  

  This is a pretty big teapot!

  

  Here is a Tokonamisch manhole cover.

  

  The oldest bridge in the city

  

  Now here is something that you don't see everyday - a chopstick rest shaped like a pipe!

  

  These roof tile shaped chopstick rests were interesting.

  

  This is a nice vase, but DH is on patrol... Dern.

  

  I would have loved to bring this set of lion dogs home, but where would I put them?

  

  Here are some more lion dogs, cute and comical.

  

  The sun is going down, so let's head back to Tokoname Station and Nagoya.

  

  This is an old inn that is no longer in use and scheduled for demolition. Three story inns are unusual.

  

  Here we are back at Tokoname Station ready to head back to Nagoya.

  • 09:14
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