SearchFeatures
Buy & SellLifeExtra Services |
Shisa honored with Tsuboya FestivalDate Posted: 2012-03-30   The Tsuboya Festival is all about Shisa’s day, which is next Tuesday. April is SHI in Japanese, and 3 is SAN in Japanese, making the 3rd the anniversary day of Shisa. From festival opening ceremonies in the morning at 9:30 a.m., which include Tsuboya Shisa Taiko Drum performances, to exhibitions, it’s a time to introduce shisa to more foreigners, as well as locals. A tour of a Shishi dog factory in the Tsuboya area gets under way at 10:30 a.m., starting from the Tsuboya Pottery Museum and walking Yachimun Street with a guide from 2 p.m. Best of all, it is free. There are also special discounts on Shi-sa pottery at various shops on Yachimun street . Naha’s Tsuboya District has been the hub of Okinawan pottery since 1682, although the earthenware first began being made about 6,600 years ago. Today, dozens of workshops are still operating after being passed down from generation to generation. The most famous of the pottery is tsuboya-yaki, a product that has gained fame far beyond the islands of Okinawa. There are actually two forms of tsuboya-yaki produced in Naha City’s Tsuboya District. Arayachi tsuboya-yaki is an unglazed pottery, often coated with a mud or manganese glaze. Typically, arayachi pottery is formed into large pieces that become storage vessels for awamori, water or bean paste. It’s also crafted into small masu-bin items such as bottles for measuring awamori. Joyachi is a colorful glazed tsuboya-yaki made into vases, teapots, pots, bowls, plates and even awamori traveling flasks. Tsuboya-yaki pottery was influenced by both Chinese ceramics first introduced in the 12th century, and a mainland Japanese Kyushu pottery. Tsuboya District really got going when the Chibana, Wakuta and Takaraguchi pottery districts merged into the single district by a royal decree of the Ryukyuan empire. It came about because of the Kingdom’s increased trading schedule with China and southeast Asia nations increased demand for the products. World War II took its toll on Tsuboya’s craftsmen, who were directed by the Japanese Imperial Army to create battery cases and saucers for military use. After the war, a shortage of necessities for everyday life inspired Tsuboya District to quickly begin producing needed items. As Okinawa bounced back from the ravages of war, Tsuboya was forced to change. Kilns were deemed an annoyance in the downtown area, sending some artisans to the outlying areas to continue their trade. Others resisted, and Tsuboya District is alive and thriving today, although with electric kilns that don’t pollute the air with smoke. Entry to the Tsuboya Pottery Museum is normally ¥300 for adults, ¥200 for high school and college students, and ¥100 for middle school and younger students, but is free this week. The museum is normally open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each visitor to the Tsuboya Festival will have an opportunity to create their own shisa. Festival organizers will also give discount coupons to every customer visiting the Tsubyoya pottery district. The Tsuboya Pottery District is located in downtown Naha City, in the Kokusai Street area. Across from Okinawa Mitsukoshi Department Store on Kokusai is Heiwadori, a shopping arcade. After walking through Heiwadori arcade, visitors reach Tsuboya District. For those traveling from military bases, travel south on Highway 58 to Naha City, then turn left at signs for Kokusai Street. Another route is to travel Highway 330 south into Naha City. Just before Naha Police Headquarters is Yogi Park; the Tsuboya pottery district is on the right side of Route 330 just before Yogi Park. There’s limited parking in the pottery district, so it’s best to park in a paid parking lot, or take a taxi or walk from Heiwadori or Kokusai Street. |
   
|
