地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Grassroots Preservation for an Industry in Decline

The Mosaic Tile Museum is located in the town of Kasahara, an area famous for tile production. During its heyday in the mid-1900s, Kasahara had over 100 tile factories and supplied the majority of the domestic market.

The history of ceramics production in Kasahara stretches back some 1,300 years, but it was only in the twentieth century that ceramicists in Kasahara began to focus on making tiles. Following World War II, the reconstruction efforts created a demand for tiles, and the town’s economy boomed. This was followed by a second golden age in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when exterior tiles were used in the construction of high-rise buildings. However, as the twenty-first century approached, the industry was hit hard by a combination of changing lifestyles, the emergence of new building materials, and competition from overseas producers.

Around the turn of the century, many twentieth-century mosaic tile installations were at risk of being destroyed as the aging structures they occupied were scheduled for demolition. Under the direction of the Kasahara Chamber of Commerce, individuals in Kasahara began acquiring or salvaging the mosaic works. Discussion began about where to house and display these distinctive artifacts. Despite being competitors, several local tile, trade, and clay companies came together to support the project. The Mosaic Tile Museum is the result of this collaboration. The museum not only preserves the physical tileworks themselves but also helps to support the tile industry. Tile-making workshops are held at the museum, and its second floor has sixteen showrooms that showcase the decorative possibilities of tile.

夕陽產業的草根保護行動

馬賽克瓷磚博物館位於笠原町，這裡是著名的瓷磚產地。20世紀中期，笠原瓷磚產業正值全盛時期，擁有100家以上的瓷磚廠，供應著絕大部分國內市場的需求。

笠原的陶瓷器生產可以追溯到大約1300年以前，但當地陶瓷工匠專注於瓷磚製造卻是進入20世紀以後的事情。二戰結束後，國內復興催生出大量的瓷磚需求，笠原的經濟開始呈現出爆發式增長。1980年代末期至1990年代初期，高層建築的外牆大量使用瓷磚貼面，這一產業進入了第二個黃金時期。然而，在跨入21世紀前，民眾生活方式的改變、新型建築材料的湧現、海外同行的競爭等種種因素疊加，令日本本土的瓷磚製造業遭受了重創。

世紀之交前後，許多老舊建築被列入拆除名單，那些在20世紀貼裝在建築內外的馬賽克瓷磚作品也因此面臨了損毀消失的危機。在笠原町商業工會的主導下，當地居民以個人身份開始購買和回收這些馬賽克作品。然而，隨之而來的問題是在哪裡存放、展示這些獨特的工藝品。幾名原本互為競爭關係的當地陶瓷製造商、銷售商和黏土廠商站了出來，聯手為這項保護行動提供支持，馬賽克瓷磚博物館就此誕生。博物館不僅保存了這些瓷磚作品，還為瓷磚行業的存續乃至發展提供幫助。館內設有瓷磚燒製工房，2樓的16個展示室則呈現了瓷磚裝飾的豐富可能性。

夕阳产业的草根保护行动

马赛克瓷砖博物馆位于笠原町，这里是著名的瓷砖产地。20世纪中期，本地瓷砖产业迎来了它的全盛时期，当时笠原拥有100家以上的瓷砖厂，占据着大半个国内市场。

笠原的陶瓷器生产历史可以追溯到大约1300年以前，但专注于瓷砖制造却是进入20世纪以后的事情。二战结束后，国内复兴催生出大量的瓷砖需求，笠原的经济开始呈现出爆发式增长。20世纪80年代末期至90年代初期，高层建筑的外墙大量使用瓷砖贴面，使得这一产业进入了第二个黄金时期。然而，在跨入21世纪前，民众生活方式的改变、新型建筑材料的涌现、海外同行的竞争等种种因素，令日本本土的瓷砖制造业遭受了重创。

世纪之交前后，许多老旧建筑被列入拆除名单，那些在20世纪贴装在建筑内外的马赛克瓷砖作品也因此陷入了损毁消失的危机之中。在笠原町商业工会的主导下，当地居民以个人身份开始购买和回收这些马赛克作品。然而，随之而来的问题是在哪里存放、展示这些独特的工艺品。经过讨论，几个原本互为竞争关系的本地陶瓷制造商、销售商和黏土厂商站了出来，联手为这项保护行动提供支持，马赛克瓷砖博物馆就此诞生。博物馆不仅保存了这些瓷砖作品，还为瓷砖行业的存续乃至发展提供帮助。馆内设有瓷砖烧制工房，2楼的16个展厅则呈现了瓷砖装饰的丰富可能性。