Kasama, Ibaraki
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in central Ibaraki
, Japan
.
Kasama was once a castle town and post-station town during the Edo Period (1600–1868), and a shrine town of Kasama Inari Shrine
in the Meiji Period (1868–1912). Stone quarrying is its main activity. Utensils for tea ceremony, flower vases, and sake containers called Kasama ware are produced here.
As of 2003, the city had an estimated population
of 29,776 and the total area was 131.61 square kilometres. Kasama officially achieved city status on August 1, 1958, after the towns of Kasama and Inada merged. The city merged with Tomobe
and Iwama
, both from Nishiibaraki District
, on March 19, 2006, and the new city hall is located at the former Tomobe Town Hall. Tomobe has become the new city's administrative center because it is more populous than the former Kasama. As of May 1, 2006, the post-creation city has a total estimated population of 81,122. The post-creation area is now 240.25 km².
The name Kasama means "within the straw hat" (kasa 笠 - straw rice hat, ma 間 - within/inside). The center of the city is connected by many small towns, in the way that the center point of a straw hat is supported by the brim, thus the name. Also, Kasama is surrounded by mountains on all sides, so geographically speaking, the city resembles an upside-down straw hat.
Kasama has long been popular for its pottery, better known as kasama-yaki (笠間焼き). It is reddish-brown in color, with a black glaze. Up until recently, kasama-yaki was used to make things of daily use, like large pots (tsubo, 壺). Though this style was well known, it is now only made by a few kilns. Modern kasama-yaki is made in almost any style and color, from dinner ware and utensils, to works of art. It is noted for its fine quality, and thus Kasama is one of the most important artistic centers in the Kantō region
. Kasama's pottery has a long history, which is connected with that of nearby Mashiko
. Many people come from all over Japan and the world to study pottery with Kasama's masters.
This is a relatively small city that bursts with culture. It has an excellent modern art museum, the Kasama Nichido Museum of Art which opened on November 11, 1972. The elegant museum houses collections by a number of artists of international stature including Degas, Van Gogh, and Warhol. The city also houses the prefectural ceramics museum, which displays the works of Japanese Living National Treasures (人間国宝). Such artists include Hazan Itaya (板谷波山) and Kosei Matsui (松井康成). The house of calligrapher and ceramcist Kitaoji Rosanjin
(北大路魯山人) is located here, and it has become a beautiful museum.
The annexed town of Iwama is known for having been the residence of Ueshiba Morihei , founder of Aikido
, from 1942 until his death. Popular singer and songwriter Kyu Sakamoto also lived in Kasama as a child. Twice daily, chimes announce the time to the tune of his songs. His song "Ue o muite arukō" also plays at Tomobe train station to announce departures.
The Kasama Inari Shrine
(笠間稲荷神社) is probably the most famous landmark. It is one of the three famous Inari Shrines in the country. It is the center of the city, and many festivals are celebrated there.
At the top of nearby Mount Sashiro (佐白山), lie the ruins of Kasama Castle (笠間城). It was a unique mountain castle, which overlooked the city. However, it was torn down during the Meiji Restoration
, and only the stone base and a small shrine remain. The lookout tower was relocated to the grounds of a temple called Shinjo-ji (真浄寺), and sits on a hill overlooking the temple's main hall.
In the Inada (稲田) area, there is Sainen-ji (西念寺) temple, which was founded by the famous priest Shinran
. Inada is also famous for its mikage stone, which is used all over Japan. One can see it everywhere in the plaza of Meiji Shrine
in Tokyo
.
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
located in central Ibaraki
Ibaraki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan, located in the Kantō region on the main island of Honshu. The capital is Mito.-History:Ibaraki Prefecture was previously known as Hitachi Province...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Kasama was once a castle town and post-station town during the Edo Period (1600–1868), and a shrine town of Kasama Inari Shrine
Kasama Inari Shrine
Kasama Inari Shrine or `Kasama Jinja` is one of the three largest Inari Okami shrines in Japan, having been awarded the ancient court rank of Senior First Grade...
in the Meiji Period (1868–1912). Stone quarrying is its main activity. Utensils for tea ceremony, flower vases, and sake containers called Kasama ware are produced here.
As of 2003, the city had an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 29,776 and the total area was 131.61 square kilometres. Kasama officially achieved city status on August 1, 1958, after the towns of Kasama and Inada merged. The city merged with Tomobe
Tomobe, Ibaraki
Tomobe was a town located in Nishiibaraki District, Ibaraki, Japan.As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 35,657 and a density of 607.34 persons per km². The total area was 58.71 km²....
and Iwama
Iwama, Ibaraki
is a small town in Nishiibaraki District, Ibaraki, Japan.On March 19, 2006 Iwama, along with the town of Tomobe, also from Nishiibaraki District, was merged into the expanded city of Kasama.-Geography:...
, both from Nishiibaraki District
Nishiibaraki District, Ibaraki
Nishiibaraki , literally West Ibaraki, was a district located in Ibaraki, Japan. As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 52,291...
, on March 19, 2006, and the new city hall is located at the former Tomobe Town Hall. Tomobe has become the new city's administrative center because it is more populous than the former Kasama. As of May 1, 2006, the post-creation city has a total estimated population of 81,122. The post-creation area is now 240.25 km².
The name Kasama means "within the straw hat" (kasa 笠 - straw rice hat, ma 間 - within/inside). The center of the city is connected by many small towns, in the way that the center point of a straw hat is supported by the brim, thus the name. Also, Kasama is surrounded by mountains on all sides, so geographically speaking, the city resembles an upside-down straw hat.
Kasama has long been popular for its pottery, better known as kasama-yaki (笠間焼き). It is reddish-brown in color, with a black glaze. Up until recently, kasama-yaki was used to make things of daily use, like large pots (tsubo, 壺). Though this style was well known, it is now only made by a few kilns. Modern kasama-yaki is made in almost any style and color, from dinner ware and utensils, to works of art. It is noted for its fine quality, and thus Kasama is one of the most important artistic centers in the Kantō region
Kanto region
The is a geographical area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Within its boundaries, slightly more than 40 percent of the land area is the Kantō Plain....
. Kasama's pottery has a long history, which is connected with that of nearby Mashiko
Mashiko, Tochigi
is a town located in Haga District, Tochigi, Japan. As of October 1, 2009, the town has an estimated population of 24,760 and a density of 277 persons per km². The total area is 89.54 km².-Culture:...
. Many people come from all over Japan and the world to study pottery with Kasama's masters.
This is a relatively small city that bursts with culture. It has an excellent modern art museum, the Kasama Nichido Museum of Art which opened on November 11, 1972. The elegant museum houses collections by a number of artists of international stature including Degas, Van Gogh, and Warhol. The city also houses the prefectural ceramics museum, which displays the works of Japanese Living National Treasures (人間国宝). Such artists include Hazan Itaya (板谷波山) and Kosei Matsui (松井康成). The house of calligrapher and ceramcist Kitaoji Rosanjin
Rosanjin
was a calligrapher, ceramicist and restaurateur in Japan during the first half of the 20th century. Born in the village of Kamigano he founded the Bishoku Club in 1921. It became a private restaurant. The Great Tokyo earthquake of 1923 destroyed most of his ceramics collection, and he began...
(北大路魯山人) is located here, and it has become a beautiful museum.
The annexed town of Iwama is known for having been the residence of Ueshiba Morihei , founder of Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
, from 1942 until his death. Popular singer and songwriter Kyu Sakamoto also lived in Kasama as a child. Twice daily, chimes announce the time to the tune of his songs. His song "Ue o muite arukō" also plays at Tomobe train station to announce departures.
The Kasama Inari Shrine
Kasama Inari Shrine
Kasama Inari Shrine or `Kasama Jinja` is one of the three largest Inari Okami shrines in Japan, having been awarded the ancient court rank of Senior First Grade...
(笠間稲荷神社) is probably the most famous landmark. It is one of the three famous Inari Shrines in the country. It is the center of the city, and many festivals are celebrated there.
At the top of nearby Mount Sashiro (佐白山), lie the ruins of Kasama Castle (笠間城). It was a unique mountain castle, which overlooked the city. However, it was torn down during the Meiji Restoration
Meiji Restoration
The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
, and only the stone base and a small shrine remain. The lookout tower was relocated to the grounds of a temple called Shinjo-ji (真浄寺), and sits on a hill overlooking the temple's main hall.
In the Inada (稲田) area, there is Sainen-ji (西念寺) temple, which was founded by the famous priest Shinran
Shinran
was a Japanese Buddhist monk, who was born in Hino at the turbulent close of the Heian Period and lived during the Kamakura Period...
. Inada is also famous for its mikage stone, which is used all over Japan. One can see it everywhere in the plaza of Meiji Shrine
Meiji Shrine
', located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.-History:...
in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.