Significant intangible cultural asset of Japan

Onta pottery (Onta-yaki) began in Sarayama in 1705 and its traditional techniques have been passed down for almost 300 years.
The sound made by the large wooden mortar is considered as "one of the 100 best soundscapes of Japan worthy of preservation". The pottery technique that is passed down in secrecy in the sprit of a craftsman is designated as significant intangible cultural asset of Japan.



Onta pottery is made in Hita ,Oita, called little Kyoto in Kyushu.

Onta potteries have a lot of warmth and have been produced using the same technique since Edo era, without any electricity or gas.
Onta pottery is a very familiar existence for people in Oita.
Onta Pottery is popular for not only as tableware but also as a work of art.However, Onta pottery is rare because quantity of production is small.

When you visit Onta pottery village, you will hear the sound of Karausu.
The village is peaceful and echoes with the sound of Karausu.
This sound and the murmuring of the river in the village have you received.

10 potters of Onta pottery work in cooperation each other and continue following a tradition and technique for 300 years.

The soil for the material of Onta pottery is gathered from the local mountain once or twice a year and distributed equally among all potteries.



After drying in the sun for 10 days, the soil is then pounded by Karausu for about 2 weeks, all day and night.


And then put it into a water tank to remove impurities and let them dry again.

Once the clay for Onta pottery is prepared, potters make their productions using kick wheels (foot-powered potter's wheel).

Onta pottery has many patterns and is drawn by various techniques.
"Tobi-kanna" and "Uchihakeme" are famous techniques of Onta Porrary.

Tobi-kanna

Uchihakeme

After forming, pieces are dried in the sun, unglazed and finally fired in the kiln.

They make a fire in the kiln to bake pottery once every 2 month. During firing pottery, they have to watch fire all the time, 60 hours.

After firing, they seal the kiln with red soil for cooling and open the kiln in around 2 or 3 days.




Onta Potters don't put their name on their works.
All potters maintain the quality of Onta pottery and devote themselves to their work every day.