This program takes you on trips to potteries throughout Japan and explores the charm of the ceramic culture. In this episode, we will introduce Onta-yaki, a pottery that has been made for the past 300 years, with a hereditary tradition of passing methods down to the eldest son. Onta-yaki was founded in a small village nestled in the mountainous terrain. Out of the 14 homes in the village, 10 are Onta-yaki kilns. The major feature of Onta-yaki is that the technique does not rely on mechanical power. All steps are performed manually, and that is one of the reasons why it was designated as an important intangible folk cultural asset. In this episode, we will learn the unique manufacturing process, the carvings of geometric patterns called tobi-kanna, and the different charms and quality of Onta-yaki.