On June 1, 2013, the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum launched a new phase in its history under its new Japanese name.

On June 1, 1978, the Aichi-ken Toji Shiryokan (lit. “Aichi Prefectural Archive of Ceramics”) was established as one of the projects marking the centennial of the founding of Aichi Prefecture, which holds a distinguished position in the history of Japanese ceramics. Seto City was chosen for the Toji Shiryokan’s location, as it is one of the most prominent production centers of ceramics in Japan. Since its inception, the Museum has held many exhibitions and events that present the charm of ceramics through works produced in Japan, other parts of Asia, and the rest of the world. It is home to 8,436 works (as of March 31, 2023), including three National Important Cultural Properties, making this museum of ceramics with one of the largest collections in Japan. To mark the occasion of its 35th anniversary on June 1, 2013, the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum implemented significant changes to its exhibits and changed its Japanese name to make it a more attractive museum for all.

The world of ceramics is a realm
Where we revisit our joyous selves
Long ago, this forest became
A cradle for ceramics

In all civilizations, ceramics are a fruit of human beings’ relationship with nature – earth, water, and fire – and a foundation of people’s lives. Japanese ceramics, in particular, are reflective of the people’s delicate sensitivity and their view of nature. These ceramics therefore followed a unique path of development, resonating with the people’s beliefs, everyday lives, art and culture – including the tea ceremony – and even industries. Ceramics, indeed, represent the essence of Japan.

In 1978, Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum – a museum dedicated to ceramics – was established in a local forest which had been instrumental in the flourishing of ceramics in Japan. Sites such as a cluster of old kilns in Sanage attest to its rich history. It is a very special place that has long provided the clay for making ceramics and the wood for firing them. Designed by TANIGUCHI Yoshiro, a prominent architect known for his Showa-era modernist architecture, the Museum’s lovely buildings are meticulously covered with ceramic tiles made locally in the Tokai region. This Museum is home to one of Japan’s largest collections of pottery, featuring a wide range of ceramics from Japan and around the world and a studio where everyone can experience pottery-making.

The ceramics industry was the first type of industrial development in Aichi Prefecture. This Museum is focused on providing opportunities for people to encounter the rich cultural resources and natural environment unique to this area. It is also committed to connecting Aichi Prefecture to the rest of the Tokai Region, Japan, and the world through ceramics.

1. The Museum offers opportunities to “see,” “learn about,” and “create” ceramics in the special location where the ancient Sanage Kilns and the medieval Seto Kilns intersected and exerted significant influence on the development of Japanese ceramics.

See: As one of the centers of ceramics culture, the Museum collects, preserves, and studies works of ceramics, artifacts, and documents from Japan and the rest of the world, as well as organizes exhibitions that are inspiration-evoking.
Learn about: The Museum interprets Aichi Prefecture to the world, by helping visitors learn about how the prefecture’s rich natural environment and its ceramics are closely related, and the way in which the prefecture has evolved from ancient times to the present.
Create: The Museum provides diverse hands-on programs that spark inspiration.

2. The Museum, as it welcomes everyone, provides a platform for interpersonal interactions using ceramics as the medium.

3. The Museum is committed to serving as a hub of the worldwide network connecting museums, educational institutions, and research facilities, while making known the profound significance of ceramics through its research findings.