- Kyoto Culture Group
May 30, 2011
A Report Delivered at a Poster Session of the Convention of the Japanese Archaeological Association
Masaaki Kidachi, Hiroyuki Komeda, Tomohiko Horiguchi, and Ryosai Miyama delivered a report at a poster session of the Convention of the Japanese Archaeological Association held on May 29th, 2011, at the Shibuya Campus of Kokugakuin University. The report was entitled “Archaeological Examinations of Contemporary Kyo-yaki Kiln Remains: Excavation Surveys and Ethnological Investigations of the Kiln Remains at Dōsen Chemical Pottery Manufacturer in Gojōzaka, Kyoto.” We also presented the outline of the excavation surveys conducted from 2005 through last summer as well as that of the examinations of documentary records and of ethnological studies. Despite the fact that these are “contemporary remains,” having been closed down in 1968, they provide a valuable case study in which the main bodies of climbing kilns in Kyo-yaki kiln remains are excavated for the first time. Moreover, although the investigation concerning physical and chemical pottery is an area that has not been covered by conventional studies of Kyo-yaki, it holds a great significance for the study of Kyo-yaki as a ceramic industry since physical and chemical pottery was fired in the same kilns as earthenware and porcelain while those kilns were rented out. This investigation reveals different aspects of “Gojōzaka,” which is considered the traditional producing center of Kiyomizu-yaki, one of Kyo- yaki, in public perception. We would also like to add that this investigation was conducted within a revitalization project for local towns, and that, therefore, we conducted it in consideration of the relationship between archaeology and society to the best of our ability.
This investigation would never have been possible had it not been for the cooperation of many people involved, especially the landlord, the late Mr. Shiro Yuasa of the Rakushien. As we compiled the outlines of this investigation, we came to feel an even deeper appreciation for everybody who was involved. We would like to express our thanks to all of them again.
