Mashiko Pottery Cooperative Selling Center

The Mashiko Pottery Cooperative Selling Center (益子焼窯元共販センター) is a large pottery retail complex located in Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It was established in March 1966 as Mashiko Yaki Kamamoto Kyohan Co., Ltd. by potter and businessman Fujio Narui, with the participation of eleven local kilns. The center opened on April 1, 1966, and quickly became a central venue for direct sales of Mashiko ware, ranging from everyday tableware to works by young artists and Living National Treasures. It also housed galleries, restaurants, a food court, and a pottery classroom, and at its peak was described as Japan's largest pottery sales center. The center is best known for launching the Mashiko Pottery Fair (益子陶器市) in May 1966, an event that began as a sale of discounted outlet pieces and grew into a major biannual tradition held during Golden Week and autumn. In 1986, a 10-meter-tall fiberglass raccoon dog statue named "Ponta-kun" was erected in the parking lot, becoming a symbol of Mashiko. The center also operates pottery workshops and hosts various exhibitions and events. In recent years, demand for Mashiko ware has declined due to diversifying tastes, and the COVID-19 pandemic severely reduced sales. As of the early 2020s, operations have been scaled back: only the new building's shop and some pottery experiences remain open, while other sales areas and the restaurant are closed. The company was reorganized as the General Incorporated Association Mashiko Kasama Tourism Center (formerly Mashiko Yaki Kamamoto Kyohan Co., Ltd.). Despite these challenges, the center continues to play a role in the local pottery industry and tourism.

The Mashiko Pottery Cooperative Selling Center was established in the mid-1960s, a period of significant change for Mashiko ware. During the 1950s and 1960s, a nationwide folk craft boom brought tourists to Mashiko, and potters began selling directly to consumers rather than through intermediaries. At the same time, the Tsukamoto Pottery Works discontinued its practice of subcontracting 'kamakko' production to local kilns, causing economic hardship for many potters. To overcome this, potter and businessman Fujio Narui proposed a cooperative sales center. He initially approached about 35 kilns, and ultimately 11 kilns agreed to participate, including Oguchi Pottery, Kajiwara Pottery, Inoue Pottery, Sanjo Kiln/Tobo Nakamura, Tanaka Pottery, and Daigen Pottery. These kilns had already been influenced by Hamada Shoji's mingei movement or were transitioning from subcontracting to folk craft production. On March 24, 1966, Mashiko Yaki Kamamoto Kyohan Co., Ltd. was established, and on April 1, 1966, the Mashiko Pottery Cooperative Selling Center opened. Narui served as representative director and later president. The center engaged in steady promotional activities for Mashiko ware. In May 1966, it held the first Mashiko Pottery Fair, selling discounted outlet items. The event exceeded expectations and became an annual tradition during Golden Week, eventually evolving into the current Mashiko Pottery Fair. The center expanded over the years: the main store was built in 1966, a warehouse was converted into a second shop in 1969, the first shop was expanded in 1970, and galleries were added to each sales area to showcase young artists. In 1974, a pottery classroom was started, and cafes and restaurants began operating. A Tokyo office was also established. At its peak, the center was said to be Japan's largest pottery sales center. In 1977, Narui left the company to return to being a potter, and in 1978 he founded a separate facility, Mashiko Togeimura. In 1986, a 10-meter-tall fiberglass raccoon dog statue named 'Ponta-kun' was erected in the parking lot, becoming a symbol of Mashiko. During the Mashiko Pottery Fair, the center served as the main venue, with numerous tents in the parking lot. It was said that of the 1.3 million annual tourists to Mashiko, 950,000 visited the center. However, diversifying tastes led to a decline in demand for Mashiko ware, and the center's sales fell. The COVID-19 pandemic from late 2019 caused a sharp drop in sales. As of the early 2020s, only the new building's shop and some pottery experiences remain open, while other sales areas and the restaurant are closed. The center's operations now differ significantly from the facility guide on its official website, and it is largely treated as a large parking lot for Mashiko's pottery shopping street. In October 2020, a crowdfunding campaign was launched to fund the repainting of the giant raccoon dog statue. In 2021, when the regular pottery fair was canceled, a 'Kyohan Mini Pottery Fair' was held in the parking lot. The Mashiko Pottery Fair resumed in spring 2022. The company was reorganized as the General Incorporated Association Mashiko Kasama Tourism Center (formerly Mashiko Yaki Kamamoto Kyohan Co., Ltd.).

• Mashiko Yaki Kamamoto Kyohan Co., Ltd. established.

• Mashiko Pottery Cooperative Selling Center opens.

• First Mashiko Pottery Fair held.

• Warehouse converted into second shop.

• First shop expanded.

• Pottery classroom started; cafe and restaurant begin operating.

• Founder Fujio Narui leaves the company.

• Giant raccoon dog statue 'Ponta-kun' erected in parking lot.

• Crowdfunding campaign launched for restoration of Ponta-kun statue.

• Kyohan Mini Pottery Fair held due to COVID-19 cancellation of regular fair.

• Mashiko Pottery Fair resumes.

A major direct-sales and tourism complex for Mashiko ware, functioning as a hub for the local pottery industry and a symbol of Mashiko.

• Mashiko ware tableware

  Everyday dishes and kitchenware produced by local kilns.

• Mashiko ware art pieces

  Artistic pottery by young artists and Living National Treasures.

• Souvenirs

  Local souvenirs including 'Ponta Manju' buns.

1. 1益子焼窯元共販センター｜陶器市・陶芸教室・栃木県益子町｜mashikoyakikyouhan.jp
2. 2益子焼窯元共販センター｜陶器市・陶芸教室・栃木県益子町｜歴史mashikoyakikyouhan.jp
3. 3益子焼窯元共販センター｜陶器市・陶芸教室・栃木県益子町｜会社概要mashikoyakikyouhan.jp
4. 4Wikidata: Mashiko Pottery Cooperative Selling Centerwikidata.org
5. 5Wikipedia: 益子焼窯元共販センターja.wikipedia.org