The history of Kasama is rooted in antiquity and is closely intertwined with Japan's religious traditions. The starting point for the settlement's development is believed to be the founding of the Kasama Inari Shrine in the mid-7th century (around 651), during the Hakuho era. A community gradually began to form around this spiritual center, attracting pilgrims from across the country.
Key Factors of Formation
Kasama's transformation into a significant city was driven by a unique combination of spiritual and military-political factors:
Religious Attraction: Its status as one of Japan's three major Inari shrines ensured a constant flow of people, fostering the city's development as a "monzen-machi" (temple town).
Political Power: During the Kamakura period (early 13th century), a local feudal family built Kasama Castle on Mount Sashiro. This established the settlement's status as a regional administrative center ("joka-machi" or castle town).
Geography: Its location in a basin surrounded by mountains provided natural protection and favorable conditions for controlling the province's trade routes.
Early Cultural and Economic Features
The economy of old Kasama was based on serving the needs of the shrine and the castle garrison. However, the emergence of the art of pottery became a true cultural phenomenon. In the second half of the 18th century, during the Edo period, the Kasama-yaki ceramic tradition began to take shape here. Thanks to deposits of high-quality clay and the support of local rulers, the production of tableware and utensils quickly became the city's hallmark, defining its artisanal character for centuries to come.
Timeline
Chronology of Kasama's Development
The city's history is a journey from an ancient religious center to a modern capital of ceramic art. Below are the key dates that shaped the face of Kasama.
651: According to legend, the Kasama Inari Shrine is founded, becoming the spiritual core of the future city.
1219: Tokitomo Kasama begins construction of a mountain castle, turning the settlement into a fortified administrative center.
1600s: During the Edo period, the city flourishes as a "joka-machi" (castle town) and an important point on trade routes.
1747: The Makino clan takes possession of the lands; their rule would last until the end of the feudal era.
1770s: The famous Kasama-yaki pottery style is born, thanks to the discovery of high-quality clay deposits and the support of local rulers.
1871: Following the Meiji Restoration, the domain is abolished, and the territory officially becomes part of Ibaraki Prefecture.
1889: A modern municipal system is introduced, and the settlement receives the official status of Kasama Town.
1958: Kasama is granted city (shi) status, marking a new stage of urbanization and population growth.
1972: The Kasama Nichido Museum of Art opens, cementing the city's reputation as a center for the arts.
2006: The city significantly expands its borders by merging with the neighboring towns of Tomobe and Iwama.
2020: Kasama's pottery traditions are officially recognized as a Japan Heritage site, increasing the region's tourism appeal.
Milestones
Stages of Urban Transformation and Development
Kasama's development progressed through several roles: from a religious center to a fortress, then to a craft hub, and finally to a modern cultural cluster. Below are the key milestones that defined the city's current character and economy.
Formation of the Pilgrimage Economy (Monzen-machi):
Historically, the city's economy was built around serving the flow of worshippers heading to the Kasama Inari Shrine. This stimulated the development of the hospitality business, souvenir trade, and catering, creating a solid base for small businesses that persists to this day.
Feudal Urban Structure:
Its status as a castle town (Joka-machi) determined the layout of the central streets. The division into quarters for samurai, craftsmen, and merchants formed a historical landscape that has now been adapted for modern needs while retaining an old-world atmosphere that attracts tourists.
Industrial Specialization (18th Century):
The birth of the pottery craft (Kasama-yaki) was a turning point that transformed the city from a purely administrative and religious center into a production hub. Ceramics became the region's main export, ensuring employment and economic stability for centuries.
Transport Integration (Meiji Era):
The opening of the railway (Mito Line) in 1889 radically expanded the market for local ceramics. Establishing a reliable connection with Tokyo and other regions allowed the artisanal production to grow into a full-fledged industry and simplified tourist access to local attractions.
Cultural Renaissance (1970s–1990s):
The construction of the "Craft Forest" park and the opening of major museums (Kasama Nichido Museum of Art, Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum) redefined the city's image. Kasama began to position itself not just as a place of pottery production, but as a center of high art and creative tourism.
Administrative Consolidation (2006):
The merger of historic Kasama with the towns of Tomobe and Iwama created the city's modern structure. This unification boosted transport potential (via the Tomobe hub) and enriched its cultural heritage by adding the traditions of Aikido—historically linked to the Iwama area—to the local identity.
Architecture
Architectural Appearance and Urban Development
The architectural landscape of Kasama is unique because the city was shaped by two powerful urban planning influences: the religious and the military-administrative. This created a hybrid structure that combines the features of a "monzen-machi" (temple town) and a "joka-machi" (castle town).
The Edo Period: Traditional Architecture and Planning
The Edo period (1603–1868) was a defining era for the city's historic center. The architecture of this time is represented by religious buildings and traditional residential structures.
Gongen-zukuri Style: The most prominent example is the main pavilion of the Kasama Inari Shrine. Rebuilt in the mid-19th century, the building features a complex roof system and rich carvings typical of the late Edo period. The wood carvings here are considered some of the finest in the Kanto region.
Fortification Architecture: The ruins of Kasama Castle on Mount Sashiro display the remnants of medieval fortifications. While the wooden towers have not survived, the stone walls (ishigaki) bear witness to the skill of the stonemasons of that era and the defensive principles of mountain fortresses.
Kurayazukuri (Warehouse Style): Elements of traditional merchant houses and thick-walled warehouses can still be found in the old quarters, a design once necessary to protect against fires in dense wooden residential areas.
Modernism and Contemporary Eras: Cultural Spaces
In the second half of the 20th century, as Kasama developed into a major ceramics center, a layer of modern architecture emerged, focused on art and harmony with nature.
Contemporary Modernism: The Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, located in the "Craft Forest" park, is a prime example of modern museum architecture. The building is designed to blend into the hilly landscape, utilizing glass and concrete to create open, light-filled spaces.
Reimagining Traditional Rural Style: The Shumpu Banri-so residence is an ancient thatched-roof house that was moved and restored. It formerly belonged to the famous artist Kitaoji Rosanjin. This is an example of a careful approach to folk architecture (minka) and its integration into a modern cultural context.
Urban Planning Features
The city's layout still reflects its dual origins:
Commercial Streets: The area around the Inari Shrine has retained a narrow, pedestrian-oriented structure typical of pilgrimage centers, with shops and inns lining the path to the temple.
Pottery Quarters: The area where ceramicists historically settled has a more open layout, dictated by the need to place climbing kilns (noborigama) on the hillsides.
Notable People
Notable People of Kasama
The history of Kasama is inextricably linked with the names of great masters of the arts, spiritual leaders, and rulers. These individuals not only shaped the city's cultural code but also brought it fame far beyond the borders of Japan.
Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969) Founder of the martial art of Aikido
The Great Master moved to the Iwama district (now part of Kasama) in 1942. It was here that he built the "Aiki Shrine" and a dojo, where he finalized the philosophy and techniques of modern Aikido. Kasama is considered a "Mecca" for followers of this martial art from all over the world.
Kuno Hanzaemon (18th Century) Founder of the Kasama-yaki pottery tradition
A village headman credited with building the first kiln in the region in the 1770s. By inviting a potter from Omi Province, he laid the foundation for a craft that centuries later became the city's primary economic and cultural brand.
Yamashita Rin (1857–1939) The first Japanese female icon painter
A native of Kasama, she became the first Japanese artist to study in Russia (St. Petersburg). She converted to Orthodoxy and created many icons for Japanese Orthodox churches. A monument stands in the city in her honor, highlighting a unique cultural link between East and West.
Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883–1959) Artist, calligrapher, ceramicist, and gourmet
Although Rosanjin was not born here, Kasama became the home for his famous "Shumpu Banri-so" residence. This house, moved from Kamakura, became a museum preserving the legacy of a master who had a profound influence on Japanese aesthetics and food culture.
Kyu Sakamoto (1941–1985) Singer and actor
The performer of the world-famous hit "Sukiyaki" (Ue o Muite Arukou) had a close connection to the city. He lived here as a child during a period of relocation and later chose the Kasama Inari Shrine for his wedding ceremony, making the site even more popular among couples.
The Makino Clan (17th–19th Centuries) Feudal Rulers (Daimyo)
The Makino family ruled the Kasama Domain for many generations during the Edo period. They patronized the development of pottery and supported the Inari Shrine, laying the administrative and economic foundation of the modern city.