ONTAYAKI / Hita City

Located in the mountains of Hita City, Ontayaki no Sato is a pottery village with a history spanning over 300 years. The establishment of its kilns dates back to 1705 during the middle of the Edo period. Today, nine kilns continue to preserve the traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Ontayaki ware is artisanal, rustic pottery made from the reddish clay found around the village. Using the valley river’s water power to grind the clay and firing it in a wood–fired climbing kiln, these traditional techniques have been handed down from generation to generation. The characteristic patterns on Ontayaki ware, which remain endlessly fascinating, include: ‘tobi–kanna’, in which the potter’s wheel is turned with his foot to form a mold and then sharpened with a plane, and ‘hakeme’, in which patterns are applied with a brush. The more you use Ontayaki ware, the more they feel natural and blend into your modern life.

You will lose track of time when visiting the village as it is filled with a peaceful atmosphere. If you are lucky, you can even encounter the potters at work. The Ontayaki Folk Pottery Festival takes place every autumn and draws many tourists. The resonant sound of a Karausu mortar has been recognised as one of the ‘100 Japanese Soundscapes to Preserve’, and the entire village has been designated an Important Cultural Landscape of Japan.