Tobe Pottery

Historical Comic

Presentation to the U.N.

Interview with a Potter

Local Cultures

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Tobe Pottery

Tobe is situated in the centre of Ehime Prefecture, in South West Japan (Latitude:3245'E, Longitude:3340'-3345'N), and extends over 57.2 square kilometers. It enjoys a mild climate throughout the year, the average temperature begin about 15C. The town is close to the principal city of Ehime, Matsuyama, and is developing as the latter's southern gateway. Tobe has a population of 20,841 (1995), and is famous for the style of porcelain that bears its name, as well as for its mandarin oranges and beautiful flowers. The town's main industries are the cultivation of mandarin oranges and the manufacture of Tobe porcelain. Vases and other pottery items are produced in 94 different workshops. Among the attractive and interesting things that one can enjoy in Tobe are the town's traditional Tobe-yaki porcelain-manufacturing workshops, hot spring bathing, the Town Hall and the multi-purpose park.

Tobe-yaki pottery was born in Tobe Town, surrounded by the beautiful mountains about 13km south of Matsuyama, about 320 years ago. Warm, white lacquered porcelain, celadon porcelain like clear water, and the simplified designs on the rather thick pottery painted with absolite are the leading characteristics of Tobe pottery. There are over 70 kilns here and Tobe-yaki pottery has been designated one of the Japanese Traditional Industrial Arts for its beauty. At such places as Togei Sosaku-kan, Tobe-yaki Togei-kan, or Tobe Kanko Center, you can experience making your own original work.

Tobe pottery Image


The Process of Making Tobe Pottery

1.Gathering the stones

2.Making them into clay
Click here for Quick Time Video (6.5 MB)

3.Removing air from the clay

4.Molding on the potter's wheel

5.Polishing and cleaning to finish during the damp-dry period

6.Drying in the sun

7.Firing the bisque(from 900c-950c:8 to 10 hours)

8.Painting

9.Glazing

10.Final firing(around 1300c for 15 to 24 hours)


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Tobe Pottery

Historical Comic

Presentation to the U.N.

Interview with a Potter

Local Cultures

Our Team

Back to Top