[Hyogo, Minami Awaji] 400 years of history! Japan's three major tile production areas: Onigawara craftsmen on Awaji Island: Experience the craftsmanship of Onishi up close and see the manufacturing process! Awaji tile kiln tour experience

Awaji tiles have been around for 400 years since the Edo period. As one of the three major tile production areas in Japan, tiles are still being manufactured there. The craftsmen who make onigawara and decorative tiles by hand are called "onishi", and it is a valuable experience to be able to see the craftsmanship of the onishi, who know the soil. Awaji tiles have been around for 400 years since the Edo period. As one of the three major tile production areas in Japan, tiles are still being manufactured there. The craftsmen who make onigawara and decorative tiles by hand, which are indispensable for temples and shrines, are called "onishi", and their numbers are decreasing, with only about 10 on the entire island of Awaji (about 50 nationwide). Tatsumi Co., Ltd., which you will visit on this plan, has five onigawara. The factory tour is a private plan limited to one group per time. With the guidance of the potter's president, Okitsu Yusuke, you will observe the tile manufacturing process and the techniques used by the onigawara craftsmen to make the onigawara tiles. You will also be able to talk to the onigawara craftsmen, who will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Afterwards, in the exhibition area, valuable pieces made during the Azuchi-Momoyama period are on display, giving you a glimpse into the evolution of this traditional craft that has continued for 400 years. Another attraction is that all the onigawara craftsmen's works from the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the present day are on display in one place. After the experience, you will be given a souvenir aromatic tile to choose from and can take home with you. Below is the experience schedule. You will be guided through the tour as follows: 1. Manufacturing site 2. Onigawara craftsmen at work 3. Onigawara collection (exhibition area)

A craftsman who makes onigawara and decorative tiles by hand is called an "oni-shi". Oni-shi, whose job is to know the soil, are becoming very few in the country. Onigawara made by hand go through various steps until completion. The first step before facing the soil is to draw a blueprint. This step of determining the dimensions based on the shrinkage rate is one of the most important steps because it greatly affects the finished product. First, a base is made with clay according to the blueprint, and then clay is piled on top of it many times to form the oni mask. Using a variety of tools such as metal spatulas and wooden spatulas, as well as your fingertips, clay is added and removed many times, and the oni mask is made over several days, and then dried over time. It takes three months for large ones to dry, and even half a month for normal ones to dry slowly. Once completely dried, the tiles are baked at a high temperature of over 1000 degrees and smoked to become the crisp smoked tiles unique to Awaji tiles. While inheriting traditional techniques, they incorporate new modern sensibilities. The oni-shi's passion for the clay never stops.

Awaji Island was originally the bottom of a large lake. Later, the center of the lake rose up, and a layer of clay suitable for making tiles that had accumulated at the bottom of the lake appeared near the surface. Utilizing this to steadily produce high-quality tiles, Awaji developed into one of Japan's leading production areas. The origins of Awaji tiles are said to date back to the early Edo period, when Ikeda Tadao, the lord of Sumoto Domain in Awaji, invited a master tile craftsman from Harima Province to make tiles when he built Sumoto Nariyama Castle.

Taniike Kenji Tile Works, Ltd. is located a 3-minute drive from the Kawara Dojo. Here, you can experience something a little different with tiles! Anyone, regardless of age or gender, can become a karate expert by trying out tile-breaking. At the experience area, which is set up like a dojo, you can rent out karate uniforms and Chinese clothing, and try your hand at breaking tiles while dressed in cosplay. Transform → Break the tile → After finishing, you'll have a hero interview on a platform! You can also take a video. After witnessing the skills of the Onishi, why not relieve stress by breaking a tile?