How a Japanese Town Keeps its 800 Year Pottery Tradition Alive
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
- Tambayaki, or Tamba ware, is an 800 year old tradition that is still carried on today by about 60 kilns located around the Tachikui district.
What is often the case when hearing about these kinds of traditional practices, is that you find out it's a dying craft. So it's encouraging to hear that this group of potters have not only been able to keep the craft alive generation after generation, but they are still thriving to this day.
I made another video about the area, where I show you what a castle town is like nowadays • What a Japanese Castle...
Thanks to the city of Tamba Sasayama for sponsoring this video. The city of Tamba Sasayama has been certified as an official Japanese heritage site by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and as a UNESCO Creative City in the field of Crafts and Folk Arts. The city's prevalent rich history and culture have resulted in it being the location for several movies and period dramas. Special thanks as well to Kotoukan for showing us their collection.
For more information about Tamba Sasayama, please visit:
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- Tamba kotoukan www.tanbakotoukan.jp/
- Tambayaki tanbayaki.com/
- Tanba Style tanbayaki.net/
- Rokkoyo en.sixancientkilns.jp/
- Taiga kobo taigakobo.com/
- Gahougama www.gahougama.com/
- Toshihikogama toshihikogama.com/
- Tanbungama tanbungama.com/
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Great video. As always.
I like the last guy. "Yes I do pottery, but look excavator. Oh, btw my forklift goes up and down."
I dont know why, but i like that kind of people
You probably enjoy that kind of people because they don't let what they do define who they are nor what they enjoy. There is magic and freshness in them for they are free inside =D .
same lol, I mean why not show it off. He bought it, he's proud of it.
Most people do not realise how much work it is to woodfire a pot! It is great to see potters still continuing the tradition in 2021.
This is something I think about alot. We have skills, ideas, and crafts that are disappearing all the time and we are replacing them with substandard things because it's convienient. If it continues, we'll all be the same substandard people. It's good to see that people are keeping traditions and distinctions alive.
I do agree with you , but I think saying that people are becoming substandard is a bit of an exaggeration. Time always moves on and new traditions rise and old ones die. People will still remember them, but cant stay in the past forever. These days even something like a good piece of code can be seen as an art/skill. And people these days still come up with new traditions. I do not think that the world is turning into one hivemind, you just have to open your eyes and look around.
I agree
The old ways need to be preserved and recognized
Practically speaking, I think Basic Income would allow many "economically not viable" cultural traditions to survive.
it's not just a tradition.. is useful for survival too.
That is why I became a teacher. I teach pottery, sculpture, and film photography to high school kids. I am a very lucky person.
What do you call a kiln master who doesn't shave?
Hairy potter
I'll take it
I'll take it
I'll take it
Damn
What do you call a ghost with a kiln? Scary Potter
Wow. I visited that area back in 2003 during a pottery tour with my university’s pottery club. I remember those kilns.
Wow that's a long time ago.. How's life been to you??
I'm a potter, I've thrown over 120,000 pieces of pottery, and still when I see hand made work I swoon. Other potters will understand this deep feeling.
jep, I went to university to do liberal arts. Usually people hated on other students works even the teachers where mean to their students. But with potters the love for the craft, the material and the endless variety comes through.
I have a book from a local mead brewer.
When he started out brewing mead himself, he found out that the newest book on mead brewing was from the 1600's
he makes brewing courses for homebrewers
This appeals to me at least as much as pottery. Sounds really cool!
I’ve been there! (its about 2 hours from where I live) and it really was a cool place. As for why this local tradition has managed to survive, I think Greg put it well when he said that they’ve managed to market their area ‘as a brand’. This approach has been very successful at helping rural areas around Japan survive economically and keep their traditions alive. It’s also one of the things I love about traveling around rural Japan.
So how does it work? Do they have a lot of daily tourists that drive out to their town just to buy special pottery?
People go to a place like that for the experience. There’s a certain look and feeling that those places have. In my family’s case it’s like, “what are we gonna do this weekend? Hey, why don’t we head out to that old pottery village?” Get there in the late morning, wander around a bit, get lunch at some cool little cafe or soba shop, wander some more, take pictures, do a little shopping, buy some souvenirs... a nice way to spend a Saturday.
Japanese pottery is what made me want to become a potter!! I want to focus on Japanese pottery because I just love the ideology and thought put behind them
No, you wanted to focus on Japanese poetry because a westerner doing Japanese stuff is kitschy and pretentious. Pottery, movies, woodwork, tea, whatever, you like to act all cultured. Start with the basics.
@@PostSasso poetry is also pre cool! Also being told I'm a westerner by some rando online is hilarious (I'm asian as can be). Liking something as intricate and beautiful of any form of art should not be gatekeeped by others. You did not pass the vibe check today :)
@@nemuneko5155 As a western guy who gets this a lot for speaking japanese and such, thank you Catherine.
You have a beautiful day now. You have passed the vibe check.
Good on you! Keep your dream alive. Don't listen to jerks.
as someone who’ll be majoring in ceramics in uni very soon, i’m really thankful you took the time to produce this content 🙏🏻
Just when i thought I was going to sleep.
He pulls me back in
Love seeing this small-scale artistry/craftsmanship! It is oh so human.
Greg: "Here's a video about traditional Japanese pottery."
Masahiko-san: "So anyway here's my forklift."
Those potteries with the flower designs are gorgeous! Great video, Greg.
For people asking about links to potters, here's some for you!
- Tamba kotoukan www.tanbakotoukan.jp/
- Tambayaki tanbayaki.com/
- Tanba Style tanbayaki.net/
- Rokkoyo en.sixancientkilns.jp/
- Taiga kobo taigakobo.com/
- Gahougama www.gahougama.com/
- Toshihikogama toshihikogama.com/
- Tanbungama tanbungama.com/
And here's the credits for pottery from the Tamba kotoukan collection:
0:53 大壺 Ootsubo, 14th c, Tamba kotoukan collection
0:56 せんべい壺 Senbei tsubo, 19th c, Tamba kotoukan collection
1:00 桶 Oke, 16th c, Tamba kotoukan collection
1:03 灰釉窯変四耳壺 Haiyu youhen shijiko, 17th c, Tamba kotoukan collection
1:06 灰釉窯変耳付花入れ Haiyu youhen mimitsuki hanaire, 17th c, Tamba kotoukan collection
1:30 墨流し六角徳利 suminagashirokkakutokkuri 白地笹文徳利 shirojisasamontokkuri,19th c, Tamba kotoukan collection
1:32 海老徳利 ebidokkuri, 19th c, Tamba kotoukan collection
1:35 廣口茶入れ hirokutichaire, 17th c, Tamba kotoukan collection
9:55 水差しmizusashi, 17th c, Tamba kotoukan collection
10:04 赤土部窯変大徳利 akadobeyouhenootokkuri, 17th c, Tamba kotoukan collection
"Old pottery makes me feel happy and excited". That's the dream, to feel passion and derive joy from craft.
Hey Greg, how are you?
At 13:05 it is one of the key elements of your channel.
To do what *you* love.
Only then you can be passionate about it and get the best out of the material to show us.
That's why I'm on your channel and spread word of it to my friends.
As long as you are honest to yourself and to us.
Have a nice weekend
John from Germany
As some one who does a bit of pottery , it is a very interesting topic to watch!
The pottery/art used from the castle city is exceptional.
It wasn't all bad that Covid brought to us.
It gave us time to seek inner peace and reminded us to find beauty in familiar things.
Gspar20: I so appreciate what you posted! Inner peace has alluded the world. Very sad. Inner peace/spirituality. Again thank you so much.
I've been watching this anime on pottery and then this video...just fascinating. We used to have this community of potters where I'm from but it's a dying trade now.
Such beautiful works ! Pottery is so sensory - and brings out beauty in a natural way. I like the way the restauranteur said he makes his food that suit the pieces of pottery that he’s given . ☺️
I love, love, loved this video! I love the videos interviewing people and their lives. There is something so raw about it and it makes me emotional just watching it. Watching peoples raw emotions about their livelihoods... Really puts a smile on my face and tears to the eyes.
This was sure a peaceful and inspiring video! I love the pottery, the food and admire how the Japanese keep their communities, work spaces and homes so clean and orderly!
I love watching people doing things like this. It sometimes feels like these traditions and skills are slowly fading away.
Greg, you outdid yourself with this one. While displaying Japanese culture is nothing new for you, this one struck a chord with me. I was able to experience tradition that also has a current and practical application, plus i felt like i was there.
I always loved these simple style pottery that has an earthy feel to them.
There is a village a bit like this not so far from where I live in France. It's smaller but the spirit is the same, they also share a open kiln like this one :)
I remember visit a foundry in my local hometown looking to commission some brass castings, during their factory tour they showed us a long kiln like the Korean kiln used to be run by the owner's great grandfather as a pottery factory. It was about a 100 meters long and in near perfect condition. I was amazed they didn't show it to others more. It's a piece of history hidden away in a warehouse. The owner didn't want to get rid of it because it's their family heirloom and history.
🥰 hearing about the balance these artists are striking between the commercial and creative. thank you!
We have been to Japan once and hope to go again. This is definitely going on the itinerary as my wife is a potter and loves the rough and simple styles that some of the artists are making.
Tamba Tachikui ware is one of the Six Ancient Kilns. It would be nice vist Bizen ware town in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture when you have a chance. The Bizen Ware is also one of the Six Ancient Kilns and the oldest. The Bizen ware festival is held on the third Saturday and Sunday of October. At Kayabuki (thatched) Gallery Yozankyo, a young man from California is training as an apprentice.
You are my favourite CZcamsr that showcases different areas of Japan. Your videos are so easy to watch while also being extremely informative. I’m a big fan of Japanese pottery and had no idea of this area. I will definitely stopping here on my next trip to Japan post pandemic.
Thanks for great content!
12:49 These videos are always works of art themselves. But every so often there are moments of dad / husband humor too. The contrast makes them even funnier. I always look forward to more; thank you!
Wow the skills are incomparable, each one of them unique and rare.
Their dedication is the essence of their products.
When I lived in Japan I visited the Onta pottery village in Oita prefecture. It was so cool, and reminds me a lot of this place. So cool!
I have to say that your videos are the most spectacular videos on CZcams. The image and audio quality, the sounds and brings the most interesting aspects of Japan. Thanks, and congrats! 😉
I wish i had such a beautiful culture ❤
I want to go there someday!
There's something poetic about what Suzuki-san does @ 12:26
Just shows how skilled and creative he can get when he makes food based on the pottery he's given. I hope these potters continue to thrive and get to keep the tradition, craftsmanship, and artistry going for future generations.
This is great. I also visited a father and son duo there. If I remember correctly, the son was doing lamp or something like that as his special thing. Is is nice to see that even if they keep the tradition, they have space to innovate and express their own style.
Wow, what beautiful pieces and history. Strongly wishing to increase my Japanese pottery collection...
I love ceramic arts. My son went to Okinawa and learned Okinawa pottery. Next time when we visit Japan, both of us will visit and see Tanba-yaki. Thanks for showing!
And pottery is going to be one of my favorite morning my wife and I'd love to go to that town thank you very much for sharing I'm just Happy that you showed that place I'll be watching it repeatedly that the video I've saved it on my favorites! 🙏 🥰
It's a place to place to visit.
My wife is Japanese I do go to Japan often but we don't do much traveling it's pretty much with family and friends relatives...... 🥰🏚️🏡🛖🚗🍵🍶👀
When I see there's a new "Life Where I'm From" video, I have to wait. Wait till after we've had our dinner in the evening, we're both holding a nice hot cup of tea, and we've got our blanket keeping us toasty as we sit on the sofa. It's really something to look forward to in lockdown, UK. Will be back later!
When I was in Japan, I was hoping to find a pottery piece like a cup or tray to bring home. Although many of them are beautiful, I didn't find one that suited me (because I'm too pick) and regret not compromising before I ran out of time. Next time I'm there, it'll be a priority to find something. Thanks for making this video!
A option is to actually ask them to make one on commission. You don't have to compromise. It might take some time to do so but you will get the best option made just for you.
@@sirBrouwer As nice as that sounds, I would deeply saddened if I break it at some point. Not that I'm clumsy, but the slight risk of losing something special would prevent me from using it often. The only other option is to buy multiples as back ups.
@@SpartanFarron That can be a option. make it a small set. Or it could be something you just have as a piece of art. Might even be nicer as they can give it even more detail and be a bit less concern for practicality. And if it ever breaks. (more reason to go back again)
@@glenncambray626 You injected yourself into a 2 month old comment to complain about nothing. Give yourself a break.
Wish more content on CZcams was like this. Thank you for highlighting the beautiful these people do and showing us things most of us would never be able to see.
Simply WOW! What a wonderful vid! In middle-income country like India it's extremely difficult to keep the blue pottery (variety of Indian ceramics) however, government and non-profits are trying different strategies for the same. Some models of entrepreneurship and formation of membership based organisations for preserving the art forms.
One of your best videos… wait, almost all of your videos are one of your best videos! This was an awsome way to see those japanese traditions we all like to learn about.
We got here from your video on Japanese hand-dyed towels. I have to say, you always pick such interesting topics to explore.
Thanks for this, one more place to visit when it's eventually possible to do so.
My wife is a potter and we both enjoyed this vid tremendously! Thanks for the links to the artisans you featured as we have pinned them on our Japan map for our upcoming visit.
You need to do an episode on Japanese clothing, especially denim. I’d love to see you, take us around Okayama. ✌🏼
Your videos where you travel to lesser known areas (in the eyes of foreigners) produces fantastic content, keep up the good work!
I would love more videos like this--exploring local artisanry.
Yes, it’s the rural Japan I always wanted to see, since I read human geography at university! My friend Totoro helped too ( I was over 40 when I saw it with my daughter)!
Lovely video, thank you. 💖🌟 My mother, originally from Hiroshima, really wanted to come back to Japan with me, to see pottery places like this. She was an artist, oil painter, and also practised and taught Chanoyu in Australia.And she really really wanted to visit Sasayama Castle Oshoin, village.. But she became ill and passed away 2015. I miss her so much.💔😢💗
Utilitarian yet individual art pieces. Pleasing to the soul. Lovely. Thanks. Cheers
Such a great and inspiring video, I loved seeing how they recognized the importance of letting artist create art they want to make
The way you presented the pottery in video is beautiful
My Uncle was an Artist/Architect and became friends with a Japanese Bishop who mastered in Calligraphy. The Bishop studied under Tessai, a treasure in Japanese culture. My Uncle purchased many beautiful pots during his travels, and my favorites were created by Hamada. Have you seen his artwork? Would love a video on Hamada if you can?
Thank you for a wonderful video...loved the climbing kiln
footage. Any videos on Raku pottery would be great as well.
❤️🎎👘⛩️🍣♥️
The Bishops name was
Kojo Sakamoto and my Uncles name was B.C.Binning.
My brother is a ceramic artist in Santa Cruz. As a student he went to Japan for a bit and studied several ceramic styles. I do know he loves using wood fire kilns. It's great to see them in process.
I love this style of video promoting cultural heritage, watching Japanese craftsman at work, thank you!
PS: Beautiful camerawork too, you're a very lucky man to have such a wonderfully rewarding occupation !
This pottery is really fantastic ! I love the diversity of styles gathered in the same area ! Thank you for the video :)
Another fascinating video! Enjoy following along with your curiosities! Well done explaining the traditions of various potters, how the generations work together & how they sell their work. Gold star!
Loved this one! It reminded me of the time I went to a sort of flea market in the outskirts of Saitama prefecture and found some beautiful looking pottery that I bought for my host family as a gift! They really are beautifully crafted :) keep these up!
This was wonderful. I visited Japan six years ago and I was lucky to meet some craftspeople. I'm homesick for another country!
This was so wonderful, thank you for sharing! I especially love the the collaboration between the potter and the chef. I'd love to visit that restaurant!
Your art compliments theirs beautifully. Your video is one of the most aesthetically pleasing that I have had the pleasure of viewing on my new LG CX Oled. The colors really blew me away.
Your Cinematography is just gorgeous. please start filming in 8k in the near future.
I love that artistry dynamic between the potter and the chef! What a symbiosis 🍵🍜
If only I was in Japan so I can also experince what it's like to do pottery in Japan
This video was beautiful. I loved the storytelling and how you included the forklift info and little details about the people. Great job!
You should visit this place again. It was so interesting to watch
Thank you for taking on this tour! It’s incredible to see
Loved this! Love all your vids...keep em coming!
Great content Greg!
Great video as usual! Thanks!
I love this video! I love seeing locals artists being showcased
great episode!
Amazing video once again !
Great work! Thanks for sharing these traditions with us!
Thank you!!🥰
Another great video always looking forward to what comes next !
I am so happy you made this video
Thank you! awesome video!
Loved this!
so lovely, thank you!
Such a great video! Thank you
So interesting, thanks for posting!
Thank you for always producing amazing content! Greetings from a Brazilian living in Montana!
Great video! Always love to see these small town artist videos from you.
beautiful work Greg!
All the pottery looks so beautiful! I loved to see the different takes on the craft. I really liked how Nishibata-san painted these pretty designs on her work. The two generations in each family may do it differently, but they still make masterpieces. And yes Greg, we always love watching your vids. Thanks.
Really loved this video, it’s fascinating to see the process in detail
Well done and good to see. There is a very vibrant pottery scene here in the American Southwest, with a highly diverse group of craftspeople producing a wide range of artistic and utilitarian designs. Fun! 😎
Thank you for making great videos! :)
i always hoped that you’d make a pottery video and here we are !!! rly enjoyed this thank you!!
Loved This! Thank you for sharing.
this is fascinating thank you for this
It's amazing how varied the styles of pottery are, but all are beautiful. Great stuff as always Greg!