Okawauchi-yama Mountain

Okawauchi-yama Mountain, originally uploaded by furyu_man18.

Ookawauchi-Yama is a site in Imari for porcelains called "Nabshima". At this site, more than 30 ceramics manufacturers display their works. Okawachiyama has three main charms I believe.
First off, needless to say, you can enjoy seeing beautiful ceramics at the shops around Okawachiyama.
Secondly, you can learn about the history and culture that surrounds the traditionally significant ceramics.

Lastly, you can appreciate the beautiful landscape that looks like some kind of black and white drawing; the small town including traditional Japanese houses is surrounded by an exotic ragged mountain.


You can comfortably and leisurely walk and enjoy seeing ceramics shops directly managed by potters who live around the small town.

You can appreciate the rich nature that varies from season to season and the significant culture of the area while taking a walk around the park.

The site is in a natural setting and has a strong cultural atmosphere. Imari-yaki was only produced for Lord Nabeshima who dominated the area around present-day Saga prefecture during the E-do era. There was a gate that prevented craftsmen from escaping this site to maintain the secrecy of these special ceramic techniques.

The tombs for unknown craftsmen;the tombs in this picture are worshiped by local people as “Muen Botoke referring to the spirits which don’t have descendants to worship. Actually, many craftsmen who used to work in Okawachyama, were forcedly brought to Japan from Korea as a result of the aggressive war led by Hideyoshi Toyotomi in 1592, and “Buroku, Keicho no Eki” in 1597.The craftsmen were uprooted from their families and homeland.So after their death, no relatives could take care of their spirits.In Japan, there is a custom to worship “Muen Botoke” voluntarily by communities. Thanks to the skills and contributions of the Korean craftsmen, various manufacturing industries have taken root in this area of Japan

Fashion of Traditional Ceramics;Imari wares are old craft works indeed. However, one potter claimed that potters have to keep in mind the trends in people’s preferences just as the fashion industry does from year to year when they design pictures or the shapes of ceramics. He said that it is very challenging to strike a balance between adopting new designs and preserving traditional ones.