What is Okinawan pottery yachimun? Enjoy making yachimun in Onna Village with its charming blue cave!

What is Okinawan pottery Yachimun?

What comes to mind when you hear the word "Okinawa"?

Many people may think of tropical sunshine, pure white sandy beaches, and clear blue waters filled with coral.

Some may also associate it with the various activities that can be enjoyed in the sea.

Those who have actually been there may recall the location of Manza-gou and other unique topographic features made of Ryukyu limestone, as well as tourist attractions such as the Blue Cave.

Many people may imagine banyan trees, mangroves, and other plants, as well as Okinawan cuisine.

But that is not the only attraction of Okinawa.

Okinawa still retains a wide variety of cultures that have been spun out over its long history since the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and the "Yachimun" introduced here is one of them.

Yachimun is an Okinawan dialect word meaning "pottery" → "yakimon" → "yachimun," and is characterized by its rounded and thick shape and powerful painting.

The origin of Yachimun culture can be traced back to earthenware dating back to about 6,600 years ago.

From there, it was used by the residents while undergoing minor changes over the years, but it was during the Middle Ages that a major technological development was seen.

It is believed that the technical innovation was triggered by the introduction of Kamuyaki, a pottery produced on Tokunoshima Island in the Amami Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture, and ceramics produced in China, to Okinawa.

Later, pottery imports from Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and other countries began to flourish, and ceramics were refined as pottery while receiving influences from outside.

In this issue, we would like to introduce how to interact with and enjoy Yachimun on your trip to Okinawa.

 

Yomitan Yachimun no Sato

Now, many people may not be familiar with pottery, or may not know what to look for because they have no knowledge of it at all.

Some people, especially younger people, may have the image that pottery is a hobby for older people.

However, expensive pottery as a work of art is only a part of the story, and there are many Yachimun in the price range that can be easily purchased.

A spot where visitors can encounter such a variety of Yachimunun is Yachimun-no-sato in Yomitan Village, located next to Onna Village, a popular resort tourist spot.

Yomitan Village was originally a place where Yachimun culture flourished, and as many as 64 workshops are scattered throughout the village.

Nineteen of them are located here in Yachimun-no-sato.

How to enjoy

The 19 workshops are not affiliated with each other, but rather, each of the 19 workshops gathered in the area operates independently.

Yachimun-no-sato is located on a small hill with a great view, so you can enjoy a stroll while looking out over the typical Okinawan landscape.

Along the way, a variety of workshops will catch your eye.

It is a good idea to check out a particular workshop before heading there, but if you go door to door, you will be able to see a wide variety of artwork.

Since there are no strict rules for Yachimun, each artist has his or her own individuality in terms of the color, shape, luster, and texture of his or her pottery.

Unlike uniformly branded pottery, you can take the time to compare and find the one-of-a-kind pottery that strikes your own sensibilities.

There is also a place in Yachimun-no-sato called "Yomitan-yaki Kyodo Kiln," which is a large-scale pottery kiln.

The roof here is eye-catching, with its ancient Okinawan red tiles.

The sight of the kilns set up in a row, which is not often seen, is quite impressive, so please be sure to take a look.

There is also a store where visitors can view the works of numerous artists in one place.

The Yomitan Pottery Kiln Shop tends to offer traditional yachimun and the Kita Kiln Shop tends to offer up-and-coming yachimun.

In addition, every December, a large Yomitan Pottery Market is held, so if the timing is right, it is recommended to visit this event first.

 

Directions from Onna Village and Naha Airport

Approximate travel time from Naha Airport is about 1 hour.

Take Route 58 and turn toward the Zakimi Castle Ruins at the Kina intersection.

Onna Village is a neighboring village, so you should be able to arrive there without problems using the navigation system.

When using the bus, get off at "Oyashi Iriguchi".

 

Types of Yachimun

There are two types of yachimun, each with different production methods and characteristics.

Let us take a brief look at two types of Yachimun that have different attractions from each other.

 

Jyoyachi

Top-firing refers to glaze applied to the surface during the firing process.

Widely distributed is this method of production.

Glazing is a process used to give a glass-like coating to ceramic and porcelain surfaces.

This glaze is used not only on Okinawan yachimun, but also on almost all other types of pottery in general, and plays the role of adding luster and improving durability.

 

Arayachi

The other type is called arayaki.

Unlike Kamiyaki, this type of pottery is characterized by the fact that it is not glazed, but rather the clay is shaped into a vessel and unglazed.
The baked surface of the clay gives it a unique warmth and texture that has many deep-rooted fans.

Because it is not a mainstream production method, it is basically a type of pottery that is not widely distributed, but you can see and buy Ara-yaki at Yachimun-no-sato.

 

A store where you can experience making Yachimun

Once you become interested in Yachimun, you may now become interested in baking with your own hands.

We have picked up several stores that offer hands-on production experience and facilities connected to them.

 

Toumakama Kiln

Toumagama established a kiln in Zakimi, Yomitan Village, in 1978.

Since then, the kiln has maintained the old methods and traditions in glaze making, etc., while actively introducing new techniques in painting and fish prints.

It is one of the largest workshops in Okinawa, and if you visit, you will be amazed at its power.

 

Store Features

In addition to the common yachimun, the shop offers a wide variety of yachimun, including sake pots used for awamori, shisa, and the arayaki mentioned earlier, allowing visitors to encounter a wide range of yachimun.

In addition, they are vigorously promoting the appeal of yachimun, and as part of this effort, they offer pottery-making classes and yachimun-making experiences.

Here, visitors can observe the process of making yachimun, allowing them not only to shop but also to experience the culture of yachimun itself.

 

Directions from Onna Village and Naha Airport

The address of Tomakama Kiln is 2898-4 Aza-Zakimi, Yomitan Village, Nakagami County, Okinawa Prefecture.

Enter the road by the Aloha Golf Center on Route 58 and go a little further to reach the workshop.

 

trembling

Yushiyushi is located in Onna Village, next to Yomitan Village.

Onna Village is an easy location to visit, as it is a good base for travelers to Okinawa, as it has a wide range of accommodations.

This is a facility where visitors can experience not only the pottery of Hachimun, but also various Okinawan crafts.

 

Store Features

Yushi Yushi is characterized by its homey, private house-like setting, and its main feature is that one group can rent out the store and experience it in a relaxed environment.

The experience of making accessories, such as traditional yachimun and shisa, as well as typical Okinawan souvenirs such as star sand, which is encased in resin in a frame, has become very popular.

Of course, you can also experience authentic yachimun making, which will surely add color to your sightseeing memories!

Since the experience takes a certain amount of time, it is difficult to participate when traveling with children, but here there is a playroom where children can spend time playing.

 

Directions from Onna Village and Naha Airport

The address of Yushi Yushi is 706-1 Maeda, Onna Village.

Some types of car navigation systems may show different locations even if searched properly, so a map application or similar should give a more accurate location.

Turn left before the Slow Life Apartments on Prefectural Route 6 to reach Yushiyushi.

 

Yachimun & Cafe Gunsei

Yachimun & Cafe Gunsei is a café attached to the Toumagama kiln introduced earlier.

All menu items served at the restaurant are served in Toumakikama dishes.

Since it also serves as a store for the Toumakama Kiln, visitors can take their time to look at the various types of yachimun on display.

 

Store Features

One of the reasons why people find it difficult to choose when buying pottery, not only Okinawan yachimun, is how it looks when actually served with food.

If you eat and drink at Gunzeong, the food will actually be served in a bowl, so it will be easier to imagine what it will look like when it is used.

The quality of the menu offered is also high, especially the stone oven pizza baked in the kiln used to bake the seersucker, which is first class.

A wide variety of other snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol are also available, making it a great place to rest between visits to the kilns.

 

Directions from Onna Village and Naha Airport

Since it is located next to the Toumagama Kiln introduced earlier, please refer to that section.

 

Atelier43

Atelier 43 is a workshop overlooking a beautiful location by the sea, where you can enjoy the Yachimun experience while surrounded by the Okinawan beach mood.

You may be able to choose the material from red or white clay and determine some of the trends in the baking process, so you may be able to bake Icmun that is easy to use in everyday life.

In addition to yachimun, visitors can also experience traditional shisa making.

 

Store Features

Using an electric potter's wheel, visitors can make multiple Yachimun of their choice, such as boar cups, small bowls, small plates, teacups, and tea bowls, in a single kilogram of clay.

When you participate in the experience, a drink with tropical fruits such as mango and passion fruit is included in the package, so you will be able to enjoy the seaside atmosphere in a carefree way.

Many people also include it as a driving course destination because of its seaside location, and it is sure to provide a great Okinawan travel experience.

The baked goods will be mailed to you by Yuh-Pack about a month and a half later, and will surely be a good memory of your trip.

 

Directions from Onna Village and Naha Airport

The address of Atelier 43 is 252 Jeide, Nago City, Okinawa, Japan.

When using the Okinawa Expressway, get off at the "Kusuda IC.

They do not put up many signs to protect the landscape, so if you are not sure when you get to the neighborhood after using your car navigation system, contact Atelier43 at 0980-52-8027.

 

Enjoy a comfortable trip with a rental car!

We'll also make reservations in advance for car rentals, which fill up quickly!

↓Click here for more information.

 

summary

We hope you enjoyed our introduction to yachimun, traditional Okinawan pottery.

While boasting a long history and tradition, Yachimun is a culture that actively incorporates new techniques and trends, and the more one learns about it, the more profound and interesting it becomes.

If you visit a number of workshops, you may eventually meet your favorite artist.

Many places now have online stores, so you can check them out on the web and then visit them for more enjoyment.