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Exploring The World Of Tamba Ware In Sasayama On Bicycle
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Welcome to Tamba-Sasayama, the central-eastern part of Hyogo! Other than black soybeans and the tree peony flower, there is another famous brand of Tamba area: Tamba ware. This cycling route will help you explore the world of Tamba pottery!
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Originally from Chiayi, Taiwan, I majored in history in university. I'm a history geek and otaku living in an old downtown area of Tokyo. I have worked as a journalist for a Taiwanese business magazine, public relations manager for Mos Burger Taiwan, and as a marketer of American skin products in Taiwan. Currently working as a freelance of writer. Visiting castles in my free time.
As a storyteller, I only write about things that I saw, heard, and researched myself. Every word of my articles reflects what I personally thought and felt.
If you have some time, do read some of my stories.
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Let the Adventure Begin! The Best Cycling Spots in Sasayama
Now, let us introduce some of the most exciting cycling spots in this area.
1. The Oldest Nobori-Gama – Built 120 Years Ago
This is Nobori-Gama, or the Inclined Kiln, owing its name to the place of its creation – the hillside. Although it appears to be no more than a one longer kiln, it is hollow on the inside and is divided in several areas.
Photo courtesy of Sasayama City
The overall length of this kiln is 47 meters, and, as it has a snake-like pattern engraved all over it, it earned itself another interesting name – the Snake Kiln, or Ja-Gama in Japanese.
This marvelous 120-year old structure is the only kiln in Japan with such a long esteem. It is still used today, and is one of the Cultural Properties of Hyogo Prefecture.
You might have noticed the abemaki, or the Chinese cork oak. It is the oldest Chinese cork oak in Japan, and is listed as a Regional Natural Monument.
The Inclined Kiln, the Chinese cork oak, and the Tamba ware have come long way in history to this day, living up to their reputation and quality – just as they are going to grow from now on, as well.
2. Search for the Treasure on Your Pottery Tour
There are more than 60 kilns, or potteries, in the Tachikui valley, and they all have something special to their art. The one you can see in the photo is of a very peculiar appearance – that of a traditional-style house, charming and exciting, bringing a different dash of the “historic” to the scene.
As the mountains around it change their robes with the passing of the seasons, the pillars of smoke rising from the kiln make the whole picture even more idyllic, soothing the person watching it with its serene atmosphere.
At the entrance to the pottery you’ll find many wooden boards lining up, and countless pottery goods plentifully displayed around the space. You can either visit the one pottery place you felt strongly about when in Pottery Alley, or just promptly enter any pottery place whose atmosphere you find fascinating and alluring.
If you decide to take a look at each and every pottery on the pottery route, it might seem like an exciting treasure hunt. It will leave you on the edge of your seat to find out what kind of a pottery place the next one will turn out to be.
3. Take a Break at Colissimo, the Old-Style-House Café
There are three home-made-style bakeries at Tachikui Valley, but we would like to introduce the old-Japanese-house-style café colissimo.
Actually, this building used to be a post office. When the government decided to build concrete-structured post offices around the country, this old-style building lost its purpose and was on the verge of demolition, when the current owner of colissimo decided to turn it into a wonderful café.
Thanks to the decision to keep the interior in its original state, upon visiting this café not only can you enjoy a nice break, you can also feel the atmosphere of an old-style post office in Japan.
The counter that is bound to catch your attention the minute you step into the café, used to serve as a counter for the former post office. The alarm beneath the desk is also a memento from the past days, left intact for the future generations to appreciate.
The second floor serves as the exhibition area, where various exhibition events are being organized from time to time. But the ambiance is constantly radiating with the owner’s aura – you can see musical instruments, dry flowers, and such ornaments decorating the space, and showing off the owner’s personal preference and interests.
Photo courtesy of Sasayama City
Photo courtesy of Sasayama City
You can spend some quality time at this café relishing a simple lunch, homemade desserts, or a drink. It is a perfect ambiance to take your afternoon tea-time break, or just rest for a while after cycling your way through the area.
One detail that ought to make you believe in fairytales, or feel as if you’re about to enter one, is the night-time atmosphere at colissimo, when the café’s lights turn on and create a magical, little-cabin-in-the-woods-like feeling. Just looking at it will melt your heart and soul.
Create Your Very Own Tamba Ware
Upon return to Tachikui Sue no Sato on our bicycle, we have noticed that there is a pottery classroom organized nearby. It is a marvelous opportunity to learn how to make your own art, in the form of Tamba pottery, with a supportive and thorough pottery-veteran teacher by your side, teaching you about all the know-hows and the beauty to it.
Other than choosing the size of your soon-to-be Tamba ware, you can design the piece yourself, and it will conveniently be delivered to your preferred address after the baking process is done.
There is no doubt that you’ll feel the indescribable mixture of pride, excitement, and awe, as you see your masterpiece slowly forming into its destined shape under the guidance of your teacher. You are the artisan in charge, but the teacher will help you with the finishing touch, give you advice and teach you the ways, thus passing on his or her wisdom and experience on you.
After your beloved piece of art has taken its form just the way you imagined it, it is time for the next step – the firing process. As there are several kilns where your pottery piece could be finalized, and each of them has its own baking techniques and differences, you can look forward to seeing the final form of your masterpiece. Now all that is left is to find the strength to wait another month for it to reach you again!
A Journey to Explore the History and Culture of Sasayama
The greatest charisma of Tamba-Sasayama is in the treasures that were left after the previous generations, and which you can admire at various places in the area. The fruit of that history and culture evolved in what Sasayama is today, with all its extraordinary and unique traits and charms.
Take this chance to visit Sasayama and embark on a bicycle tour around Tamba's kilns and pottery places. A wonderful adventure awaits!
To learn more about Sasayama please refer to this website: https://visit.sasayama.jp/
*This is a translated and edited version of an article originally written in Traditional Chinese.
Originally from Chiayi, Taiwan, I majored in history in university. I'm a history geek and otaku living in an old downtown area of Tokyo. I have worked as a journalist for a Taiwanese business magazine, public relations manager for Mos Burger Taiwan, and as a marketer of American skin products in Taiwan. Currently working as a freelance of writer. Visiting castles in my free time.
As a storyteller, I only write about things that I saw, heard, and researched myself. Every word of my articles reflects what I personally thought and felt.
If you have some time, do read some of my stories.
more
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