The opening date for the International Ceramics Festival 17' Mino is approaching. "Since the first festival in 1986, the International Ceramics Festival Mino has been held with the aim of supporting the growth of the ceramics industry and the enhancement of culture through the global exchange of ceramics design and culture with its theme of "International exchange of soil and flame -From You, From Now, From Here. The festival has been constantly held every three years as a triennale, and this will be the 11th such event. The International Ceramics Competition Mino, Japan" is the main event of the festival. In the last competition in 2014 we had an amazing 2,579 entries from 1,247 applicants coming from 60 countries and areas around the world. This event is an internationally recognized world-class ceramic competition and all selected excellent works will be exhibited at Ceramic Park MINO. Furthermore, a wide variety of attractive events of the ceramic industries of Tajimi city, Mizunami city and Toki city will offer the chance to come in contact with the appeal of the cultural climate and the historical treasure of Mino region as well as contribute to the development of the local region." (Excerpt from the official Festival site)
Built to resemble a hill being excavated for clay, the Tajimi Tile Museum has proven to be an even greater success than originally hoped for. Crowds are flowing steadily to the uniquely designed building, where you can experience creating tile-art and view everyday tile products for the home, such as bath tubs and ovens. Kasahara town, home to the museum and a large number of tile producing companies, has hardly been high on the list of tourists visiting Gifu prefecture in the past, but the seemingly mundane theme of the museum seems to have a strange draw on travelers, especially young women, who enjoy the workshops. The locals are now busily to capitalize on the popularity of the museum, by arranging unique events such as concerts under the starry night sky, which can be viewed from the very pleasant, moody top floor of the building. Few westerners have yet discovered this museum, however, as foreign visitors still tend to be of Asian origin, according to our sources. The creative mind behind the museum is architect and architectural historian Terunobu Fujimori . Fujimori has created many well-known buildings, such as the recent Kusayane and Douyane, the Taneya sales office and headquarters in Omihachiman City. He is currently professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo, specially-appointed professor of Kogakuin University and Director of Edo-Tokyo Museum. Fujimori specializes in the history of architecture, and he has been engaged in designing architecture since he was 45. |
Hans o. KarlssonChief blogger for Tajimi Tourist Association. Archives
April 2023
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