Ishoken is a ceramic research center under the direction of Nakashima Harumi, an internationally well known ceramics artist. The centre is located in Tajimi city, a famous ceramics production district in Japan. The products made in this area are called Mino-Yaki ware. 
 
There is a growing number of young students at this internationally acclaimed educational institution. The centre is now accepting new students. You can find the application form here above as well as additional information on the Internet:

https://www.city.tajimi.lg.jp/ishoken/02_apply/lab_i.html
 
The centre accepts visits between 9:00-17:00 (Japan time) on weekday. If you have any further inquiries, please feel free to contact them in English or Japanese.

HP: https://www.city.tajimi.lg.jp/ishoken/
Email: ishoken-jinzai@city.tajimi.lg.jp
 
For further information, please access the Ishoken Facebook page and Instagram library:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ishoken
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishoken_ceramic/

The Ho-Ca pottery workshop in Tajimi is attracting an increasing number of foreign students, most of whom stay for a month to take one of the courses on offer. Ho-Ca has just opened a gallery in the vicinity of the workshop and opens with an exhibition of works by some of the students from the last few years. The exhibition is running from July 7 (Sun) to July 14 (Sun) and admission is free. Please inquire about the details.

We have published an article on the Ho-Ca experience on this site featuring a video interview with students as well as an interview with Master Shibata.

We have started offering VR tours of Tajimi for people curious about life on the countryside of Japan. The free tours have three seats are held monthly. You will be guided alone or in a small group of up to three virtual travelers. Hans O. Karlsson, an experienced tour guide, Japanologist and VR producer, leads the group through 360 photo spheres. VR headset recommended but not obligatory. To learn more, click here.

Address: 4 Chome-2-5 Higashimachi, Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture 507-0801
Phone: 0572-28-3100
Directions: Click here for Google Maps directions from your location to the venue.

Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (admission to 17:30)
Museum closed: Mondays, year end holidays (Dec 29 - Jan 3)
Admission fee: Adults 1,000 yen, Students 800 yen, children up to high school age: free
Note: The fee includes admission to the Finnish Design Exhibition "Marimekko Spirit".

Finnish arts and crafts received international attention and acclaim at the World Exhibition in Paris, 1900. The success became an inspirational force for a land still under Russian control to strive for national independence, and vitalized the Finnish arts and crafts movement. It developed into a cultural climate in Finland that has been described as a utopia for the creator.

By the middle of the 20th century this  movement had become an influence in the world of arts and crafts around the globe. The richness of Finnish artistic expression had a considerable impact in Japan.

2018 marks the 100 year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan. This exhibition is the first ever to offer a comprehensive display of Finnish ceramics. You are invited to enjoy exhibits of an array of Finnish artistic expression, including renowned works from the 1950's and 60's. 

A series of lectures and presentations will be made in Japanese. Please inquire if you are interested in attending.
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The Gifu Prefecture Museum of Modern Ceramic Arts (Gifuken Gendaitogei) is located in Tajimi City, cirka 40 min ride by local train from Nagoya. Nagoya can be reached in one and a half hours by bullet train from Tokyo, and in even shorter time from Osaka or Kyoto. The city is located in the world's largest ceramics production area. You will find many other things to see and do related to ceramics in Tajimi.

Detailed information on access here.
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Click here for directions by Google Maps.

Artists exhibited:

Paavo Halonen (web site here)
Maija Louekari (web site here)
Aino-Maija Metsola (web site here)

Address: 4 Chome-2-5 Higashimachi, Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture 507-0801
Phone: 0572-28-3100
Map: Click here for Google Maps directions from your location to the venue.

The Gifu Prefecture Museum of Modern Ceramic Arts (Gifuken Gendaitogei) is located in Tajimi City, cirka 40 min ride by local train from Nagoya. Nagoya can be reached in one and a half hours by bullet train from Tokyo, and in even shorter time from Osaka or Kyoto. The city is located in the world's largest ceramics production area. You will find many other things to see and do related to ceramics in Tajimi.

​Detailed information on access here.

Futao Aoyama-sensei, whom we interviewed and presented in a series of articles on this site, has been recognized by the City of Tajimi as Holder of an Intangible Cultural Asset (Shiro Tenmoku). Mr. Aoyama has spent decades trying to reproduce the Shiro Tenmoku (White Tenmoku tea bowl). This pottery is - along with Seto Guro - the only kinds of pottery known to have originated in Japan. After many years of research and test production Mr. Aoyama was able to reproduce Shiro Tenmoku very similar to the three remaining samples from 16th century Japan. He succeeded by using clay from his home village Onada, as well as the ash glazing typical for the historical kilns in the area. This is viewed as strong evidence that the historic Shiro Tenmoku were produced in Onada, and thus that Tajimi is home to one of the two kinds of native Japanese pottery styles. The image shows the making of a 360 still photography of Mr. Aoyama in his studio. The photo is available in our articles about the master potter.

​Visit the Ceramic Park in Tajimi to view and buy exquisite pottery. Prices range from a few dollars to tens and thousands of dollars. May 3rd - 6th, 10:00 - 17:00. There is also a very nice exhibition of Danish design, focused on furniture (and there is ceramics as well). See our news article here.

Get information on the Museum, access, etc. here.

View a nice panorama exhibition photo here :-).

Access information for Tajimi here.

The largest collection of Danish furniture ever exhibited in Japan is now on display at Ceramic Park in Tajimi. The exhibition is focused on furniture, but there also ceramics, cutlery, light fixtures - even bicycles! Rare antiques as well as recent designs are exhibited.

The exhibition opened on April 21 and lasts until June 17 (Sun). Recommended!

DIRECTIONS to:  The Mino Ceramic Art Museum
〒507-0801 Gifu-ken, Tajimi-shi, Higashimachi, 1 Chome, 岐阜県多治見市東町1丁目9−27
Phone: 0572-23-1191
Opens: 09.00
Google Maps link: ​https://goo.gl/maps/CqmU3BEGapM2

The 20-year olds in Tajimi celebrated their coming-of-age last Sunday in the Bunkakaikan great hall. We wanted to share the view of all the pretty kimonos with you! Best viewed in VR :-)

Click/tap images to go to the next one

This weekend pottery events are taking place all around Tajimi city. Leading potters are exhibiting their wares, which are also available for purchase. Many of the events are held near Tajimi JR station. Don't miss this opportunity to see some of the finest pottery in Japan!

Dates 2019: 12th, 13th and 14th of October.

Time: 9:30 - 16:00

Event locations:

• The pathway in front of the South Exit of JR Tajimi Station
• The square in front of the South Exit of JR Tajimi Station
• Tono Shinyou Kinko Bank Main Branch Office (Oct 8th only)
• Nagase Shopping Archade
• Honmachi Oribe Street

Event program:

• Minoyaki Maestro Pottery Gallery
• Minoyaki Kiln Shopping booth
• Master potter live performances
• Kannazuki (stand up comedian) live performance
• Pottery making live performance - from clay to finished product
• Shoutengai - shopping archade pottery gallery (Nagase Shopping Archade)
• Machinaka art museum (Honmachi Oribe Street)
• Minoyaki pottery exhibition. Japanese tea served (Oct. 8 only)

Program pamphlets available at the station.

Google map link to Tajimi Station here.

​Event home page lives here.

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