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

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• Awaji tile production has been around for 400 years, dating back to the Edo period. As one of Japan's three major tile production areas, it continues to produce tiles to this day. The artisans who handcraft onigawara (roughly 100cm long) and decorative tiles are called "onishi," and this is a valuable experience, allowing you to witness the masterful skills of these onishi, whose work is indispensable for temples and shrines. Onishi are the craftsmen who handcraft onigawara (roughly 100cm long) and decorative tiles, and their numbers are dwindling, with only about 10 on the entire island of Awaji (and about 50 nationwide). Tatsumi Co., Ltd., which you will visit on this tour, employs five onishi. The factory tour is a private plan limited to one group per time slot. 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, and 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 works 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 the display of all the onigawara craftsmen's works from the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the present day all in one place. After the experience, you will receive a souvenir aroma tile, which you can choose from several types to take home. 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)
• [Demon Master]
• Artisans who handcraft onigawara (demon tiles) and decorative tiles are called "oni-shi." Their work, which can be described as a job that involves mastering the clay, is becoming increasingly rare across the country. Handcrafted onigawara tiles require numerous steps before they can be completed. Drawing a blueprint is the first step before working with the clay. This process, which involves determining dimensions based on the clay's shrinkage rate, is crucial, as it significantly impacts the final product. First, a clay base is created according to the blueprint, and clay is piled on top of it multiple times to form the oni mask. Using a variety of tools, including metal and wooden spatulas, as well as their own fingers, the clay is repeatedly added and removed, creating the oni mask over the course of several days, which is then allowed to dry slowly. Large tiles require three months of drying, and even normal tiles require half a month. Once completely dried, the tiles are baked at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius and smoked to create the distinctive, vibrant smoky Awaji tiles. While preserving traditional techniques, they incorporate modern sensibilities. The oni-shi's passion for the clay never ceases.
• Why tiles on Awaji Island?
• Awaji Island was originally the bottom of a large lake. Later, the center of the lake rose, and a layer of clay suitable for making roofing tiles that had accumulated at the bottom of the lake emerged near the surface. Utilizing this clay to steadily produce high-quality roofing tiles, Awaji developed into one of Japan's leading roofing production areas. The origins of Awaji roofing tiles are said to date back to the early Edo period, when Ikeda Tadao, the lord of the Sumoto domain in Awaji, invited a master roofing tile craftsman from Harima Province to make the tiles when he built Sumoto Seizan Castle.
• 【There are other places like this nearby!】
• Taniike Kenji Tile Factory, Ltd. is located a 3-minute drive from the Kawara Dojo. Here, you can experience a unique style of tile making! Anyone, regardless of age or gender, can become a karate expert by participating in the tile-breaking experience. 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 tile-breaking in cosplay. Transform ➪ Tile-breaking ➪ After finishing, you will have a hero interview on a platform! You can also take videos. After witnessing the skills of the Onishi, why not release some stress by breaking a tile?