Tozan Shrine--A Porcelain Shrine in Arita
Our half-day in Arita included porcelain factory and gallery visits, a traditional lunch, then stops at small ceramic studios in town and this unique Shinto Shrine decorated in Arita-yaki.
Before leaving Arita and returning to Nagasaki to visit the Peace Memorial Park, we took a side walk to see a Shinto shrine. We climbed a steep stone set of steps, crossed railroad tracks — “Do not cross if rumbling”— and it felt as if we were in a different world.
Just a few blocks from Arita’s main street, visible on the side of a mountain, is Tozan Shrine, a fascinating place. As fitting for the area, porcelain is everywhere.
First, the fish flags and chimes welcome everyone to the shrine. Listen to this musical interlude. Imagine listening to this all day long!
One of the shrine’s most iconic features is the torii arch, which is made from Arita-yaki—the term for pottery produced in this region.
Statues that are typically carved from stone are made of porcelain. Visiting the shrine was an excellent way to end our visit to the town that calls itself the birthplace of Japanese porcelain.
Next, we will return to Nagasaki to visit the Peace Memorial Park before reboarding the Seven Seas Mariner and heading to Kagoshima, Japan.
Oh my goodness- I love this! Simply beautiful. I feel called to look up more of the ceramic art in Arita! Exquisite.