Tokoname

Tokoname
常滑市
City
Tokoname ware tiles

Flag
Seal

Location of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture
Tokoname
 
Coordinates: 34°53′11.5″N 136°49′56.4″E / 34.886528°N 136.832333°E / 34.886528; 136.832333Coordinates: 34°53′11.5″N 136°49′56.4″E / 34.886528°N 136.832333°E / 34.886528; 136.832333
Country Japan
Region Chūbu (Tōkai)
Prefecture Aichi Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Norihiko Kataoka
Area
 • Total 55.89 km2 (21.58 sq mi)
Population (May 2015)
 • Total 57,024
 • Density 1,020/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree Japanese Black Pine
- Flower Camellia sasanqua
Phone number 0569-35-5111
Address 4-1 Shinkai-chō, Tokoname-shi, Aichi-ken 479-0837
Website Official website
Tokoname city hall

Tokoname (常滑市, Tokoname-shi) is a city located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

In May 2015 the city had an estimated population of 57.024 and a population density of 1020 persons per km². The total area was 55.89 square kilometres (21.58 sq mi).

Geography

Tokoname is located on the western coast of the Chita Peninsula in southern Aichi Prefecture, facing Ise Bay.

Neighboring municipalities

History

Tokoname has been associated with ceramics production since at least the Heian period, and Tokoname-yaki works from this period have been found in locations as far away as Aomori Prefecture in the north of Japan and Kagoshima prefecture in the south. By the Kamakura period, over 3000 kilns were active. During the Sengoku period, the area came under the control of the Isshiki clan, and later came under the rule of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. During the Edo period, the area around present-day Tokoname was part of Owari Domain.

In the post Meiji Restoration cadastral reforms of 1889, the town of Tokoname was created. Tokoname was elevated to city status on April 1, 1954 by the merger of Tokoname town with the towns of Onizaki (鬼崎), Nishiura (西浦) and Ōno (大野), and the village of Miwa (三和村).

Chubu Centrair International Airport, built on an artificial island off the coast of Tokoname, opened on February 17, 2005, providing a major boost to local development.

Economy

Tokoname is a regional commercial center, and has been known since the Heian period for its production of ceramics, notably Tokoname-yaki, and ceramics production remains the mainstay of the local economy. One of the main producing companies is INAX.

About 60 climbing kilns formerly operated, most of which were constructed starting in the Meiji era. The chimneys became a landmark of the town, but many were closed and taken down after the Second World War as production methods modernised and burning of ovens was regulated by the authorities to protect the air quality. The Tōei Kiln (陶栄窯) is a climbing kiln (nobori-gama) that was constructed in Meiji 20 (1887) and used until Shōwa 49 (1974). It is the largest climbing kiln existing in Japan. It was designated as an Important Tangible Cultural Property by the government in Shōwa 57 (1982). It has eight firing chambers running a 17° incline and ten chimneys of varying height.

With its long coastline, commercial fishing also plays an important role in the local economy.

Education

Tokoname has nine elementary schools, four middle schools and one high school.

Transportation

Airport

Railways

Highways

Local attractions

Notable people from Tokoname

Media related to Tokoname, Aichi at Wikimedia Commons

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