Kilns That Fired Tiles for the Great Buddha Hall
The Irago Todaiji Temple Tile Kiln Site (伊良湖東大寺瓦窯跡, Irago Todaiji Kawaragama Ato) is the site of Kamakura-period tile kilns near the tip of the Atsumi Peninsula in Irago, Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture, which in 1967 was designated a Historic Site.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes three climbing kilns and one flat kiln. Eaves tiles found in excavation bear the words Great Buddha Hall tile of Todaiji, identifying this as one of the kilns that supplied tiles to Todaiji in Nara in the Kamakura period.
The Tahara City Museum describes it as one of the Atsumi kilns, active from the Heian to the Kamakura period, with three tunnel kilns preserved. The number and type of kilns differ between the Agency and the city.
The Kilns and the Rebuilding of Todaiji
According to the Tahara City Museum, the kilns fired tiles for the Kamakura-period rebuilding of Todaiji. Finds include round and flat eaves tiles and plain roof tiles stamped with the name of the Great Buddha Hall, as well as ritual objects such as sutra tiles and tile pagodas.
The Atsumi Peninsula tourism bureau notes that the huge tiles fired here travelled to Todaiji by sea, so kilns on this distant peninsula helped rebuild the Great Buddha Hall.
The eaves tiles excavated in 1966 are designated a tangible cultural property of Tahara City.
What to Look For
The tourism bureau says the outlines of the three tunnel kilns are marked with small stones, so their shape can be seen at a glance. Follow the stones to trace the long, narrow kilns climbing the slope.
The excavated tiles are displayed in the buried cultural properties room of the Tahara City Atsumi Local History Museum. Seeing the kiln site and then the tiles shows the scale of the tiles that roofed the Great Buddha Hall and of production here.
Visiting the Irago Todaiji Temple Tile Kiln Site
The tourism bureau gives the address as 358-14 Kawaraba, Irago, beside Hatsudachi Pond on Route 259 toward Irago, with parking. Enquiries: Tahara City cultural properties section, 0531-22-1720.
Tahara City gives the Atsumi Local History Museum's hours as 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.), closed on Mondays (or the following weekday after a holiday) and over the New Year, with free admission. It is about 15 minutes on foot from the Fukue stop of the Toyotetsu bus Irago line.
Q&A
- When was the Irago Todaiji Temple Tile Kiln Site designated?
- It was designated a Historic Site on 11 December 1967.
- What was fired at the Irago Todaiji Temple Tile Kiln Site?
- Tiles for the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji in Nara, rebuilt in the Kamakura period; tiles stamped with the hall's name have been found.
- How many kilns are there at the Irago site?
- The Agency records three climbing kilns and one flat kiln; the Tahara City Museum says three tunnel kilns are preserved.
- Where can I see tiles from the Irago kilns?
- In the buried cultural properties room of the Tahara City Atsumi Local History Museum.
- How do I get to the Irago Todaiji Temple Tile Kiln Site?
- It is beside Hatsudachi Pond on Route 259 toward Irago, with parking.
Basic Information
| Name | Irago Todaiji Temple Tile Kiln Site (伊良湖東大寺瓦窯跡) |
|---|---|
| Location | 358-14 Kawaraba, Irago, Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture |
| Designation | Historic Site |
| Year Designated | Designated 1967/12/11 (Showa 42) |
| Quantity | 3 kilns (the Agency records 3 climbing kilns and 1 flat kiln) |
| Dimensions | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Owner | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Public Access | Open outdoors; parking available |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Irago Todaiji Temple Tile Kiln Site (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/401/1452
- Cultural Heritage Online: Irago Todaiji Temple Tile Kiln Site (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/138737
- Tahara City Museum: Irago Todaiji Tile Kiln Site (Japanese)
- https://www.taharamuseum.gr.jp/siryoukan/bunkazai1.html
- Atsumi Peninsula Tourism Bureau: Irago Todaiji Tile Kiln Site (Japanese)
- https://www.taharakankou.gr.jp/spot/spot.php?search_category1=&spot_id=46
- Tahara City: Atsumi Local History Museum (Japanese)
- https://www.city.tahara.aichi.jp/shisetsu/bunka/1002485.html
Last verified: 2026.09.28