The Role of Ceramic Industry Associations as Hubs for Enhancing Cegional Creativity in Pottery Production Areas: A Comparative Study of Nihon-Rokkoyou.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K12905
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 01070:Theory of art practice-related
• Research Institution: Yamato University
• Principal Investigator: Tachibana Akira 大和大学, 社会学部, 准教授 (10781841)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 日本六古窯 / 窯業組合 / 地域創造性 / 地域レジリエンス / コロナ禍 / 若手継承 / 生活雑器（定番商品） / 藝と業

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this research, we conducted literature research, statistical analysis, fieldwork, and interviews in six cities and towns of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns (Tokoname City, Echizen Town, Bizen City, Koka City, and Tanba-Sasayama City), where production has continued since the Kamakura period. We collected data through participant observation and questionnaire surveys. As a result, in the first year, we demonstrated regional resilience centered on the ceramic industry association during the Covid-19 pandemic, in the second year we demonstrated the strengths of standard products such as teapots and bonsai pots in each production region, and in the third year we demonstrated the strength of the local economy after the Covid-19 pandemic. As the industry recovers, it has become clear that there are issues surrounding the succession of young craftsmen. These results were published in academic conference presentations and papers each year.

Free Research Field

Cultural Sociology

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで高付加価値の工芸品の産地は研究対象として取り上げられてきたが、日本六古窯のように、生活雑器の産地についてはあまり取り上げられてこなかった。中でも国内の組合研究については、農漁業や労働組合の研究は若干存在するが、窯業組合については皆無である。生活文化産業全体でも流通市場は軒並み下降傾向にあるが、窯業分野は特に市場が縮小、継承者不足は加速し、各地域の窯業は窮地に立たされている。そのため本研究において、窯業組合を中心として地域再生への処方箋に繋がる域内循環の地域連携モデルを示した点、若手継承をどのように行っていくのかについて明らかにしたことは、地域の窯業の再生にとって有意義である。