Kyoto Ceramic Tiles
A traditional craft that withstands wind and rain, while preserving the city landscape
The Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, FUREAIKAN
Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
Kyoto Ceramic Tiles
Kyoto ceramic tiles can be seen in almost every photo of Kyoto. The craft has continued since the 16th century, when outstanding tile makers from all over Japan were gathered in Higashiyama for the construction of the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) inside Hōkōji temple. Kyoto ceramic tiles are produced in Kyoto and have a profound shine which is made possible through migaki (polishing) and ibushi (smoking).
Round roof tile with tachibana design, Kyoto ceramic tiles (1603/1868) by Asada Kawara FactoryThe Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, FUREAIKAN
It is believed that the oldest tiles found in Japan are from the 6th to the 7th century.
These tiles were placed over the roofs to protect buildings from wind and rain, before developing into its current form and usage.
At the time, ceramic tiles were extremely valuable. Whenever the capital was relocated these tiles would be removed, transported to the new location, where they would be selected and placed over the new buildings. It is said that these tiles can last about 1,000 years, but due to the deterioration in appearance they are generally replaced every 150 years.
Photo: A tile piece from a private house in Kyoto.
It was not until about 300 years ago, during the late Edo period, that ceramic tiles were used to cover private houses. Under the recommendation of the 8th Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, ceramic tiles became widely used on private wooden houses that used to have thatched roofs as a measure for preventing fires from spreading to neighbouring houses.
Guardian
If you have a chance to visit Kyoto, be sure to look closely at the roofs of private houses, temples and shrines.
Shōki, Kyoto ceramic tiles by Asada Kawara FactoryThe Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, FUREAIKAN
On many roofs you will see the Chinese guardian deity Shōki (Zhong Kui in Chinese) placed there to ward off evil spirits. Shōki is a small guardian deity familiar to the people of Kyoto, and of course, these pieces are also made using the same material and techniques as Kyoto ceramic tiles.
On many roofs you will see the Chinese guardian deity Shōki (Zhong Kui in Chinese) placed there to ward off evil spirits. Shōki is a small guardian deity familiar to the people of Kyoto, and of course, these pieces are also made using the same material and techniques as Kyoto ceramic tiles.
Shōki, Kyoto ceramic tilesThe Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, FUREAIKAN
On many roofs you will see the Chinese guardian deity Shōki (Zhong Kui in Chinese) placed there to ward off evil spirits. Shōki is a small guardian deity familiar to the people of Kyoto, and of course, these pieces are also made using the same material and techniques as Kyoto ceramic tiles.
The making of Kyoto ceramic tiles
Making the clay
Clay raw materials from various production sites are blended first.
Plaster moulds are used for making decorative tile pieces.
Next, the wooden mould for the necessary tile size and shape is selected.
The clay is placed over the wooden mould and pounded down to the desired curvature.
Excess clay is cut off.
The surface is evened out using a metal spatula.
Once shaped, the tile pieces are left to dry.
Bringing out the shine
Polishing is a unique process in the making of Kyoto ceramic tiles. Craftsmen use different types of spatulas to relentlessly polish the surface of the clay. As they work, the only sounds audible in the workshop are the frictions made by the spatulas on the clay. This process helps to create a profound shine on the surface after the tile has been fired.
Google Arts & Culture 「Made in Japan：日本の匠」Ceramic tilesThe Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, FUREAIKAN
Smoking silver
After firing, carbon particles attach to the tile surface due to incomplete combustion inside the kiln. This helps to create the elegant “smoking silver” unique to Kyoto ceramic tiles that is neither black nor grey.
Onigawara, Kyoto ceramic tiles (2016) by Asada Kawara FactoryThe Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, FUREAIKAN
Tailor-made tiles
The size of tiles used depends on the size of the building, such as a temple or a shrine. As the tiles are handmade, they can be shaped to fill any subtle gaps and fully cover the roof of any building to protect it from rain and deterioration for a long time.
Tile designs
Various designs from traditional motifs and modern pattern are used. The design shown in the photo is the same as that used in tiles made for buildings in the Fujiwara capital.
Wooden molds for roof tiles, Kyoto ceramic tiles by Asada Kawara FactoryThe Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, FUREAIKAN
As shown in this photos, there exist moulds of many types of designs.
As shown in this photos, there exist moulds of many types of designs.
Silkscreen tile with dragon design, Kyoto ceramic tiles (2015) by Asada Kawara FactoryThe Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, FUREAIKAN
Traditional techniques and new ideas are used to create tiles that can blend into the modern living environment.
In this photo the polishing technique is used to apply silkscreen printing over the tile. This technique allows for the application of characters, patterns and even photographic images on tiles.
Chinese zodiac sign tiles, Kyoto ceramic tiles (2015) by Asada Kawara FactoryThe Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, FUREAIKAN
Decorative tiles depicting the 12 animal signs of the Chinese zodiac.
Decorative tiles depicting the 12 animal signs of the Chinese zodiac.
“Ceramic tiles can last 1,000 years. While I cannot be certain that the tiles I create will still exist 1,000 years from now, I will keep on making them with dedication to ensure they will last a long time to come.” – Such is the age-old spirit of ceramic tile craftsmen that still holds true today.
Exhibition provided by:
Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
Supported by:
Asada kawara factory
Text written by:
Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
Ikeda Yuuka（ Department of Apparel and Space Design, Kyoto Women's University ）
Okano Arisa（ Department of Apparel and Space Design, Kyoto Women's University ）
Nakatani Nagisa（ Department of Apparel and Space Design, Kyoto Women's University ）
English Translation by:
Eddy Y. L. Chang
Photo by:
Maezaki Shinya, Kyoto Women's University
Okano Arisa, Kyoto Women's University
Movie by:
Takayama Kengo（A-PROJECTS）
This exhibition is created by:
Ikeda Yuuka（ Department of Apparel and Space Design, Kyoto Women's University ）
Okano Arisa（ Department of Apparel and Space Design, Kyoto Women's University ）
Nakatani Nagisa（ Department of Apparel and Space Design, Kyoto Women's University ）
Kasai Takae（ Department of Contemporary Social,Kyoto Women's University ）
This project is directed by:
Maezaki Shinya, Associate Professor, Kyoto Women's University
