Nukatabe Kiln Site

One Kiln Site, Designated by the State in 1929

Nukatabe Kiln Site (額田部窯跡, Nukatabe Kama Ato) lies at Nukatabe-kitamachi, Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture, the site of a Kamakura-period kiln, designated by the state on 2 April 1929. Its category is that of historic sites.

The city records that it was found in 1928 about 30 metres west of the stone pagoda at the temple Kakuanji, and that it is a kiln that fired roof tiles in the Kamakura period.

A kiln site is what remains of a kiln in which pottery or tiles were fired.

A Small Flat Kiln with Ridges Across Its Floor

Within the kiln, long narrow ridges are set across the floor.

The city records a small kiln 1.5 metres long and 1 metre wide, of the flat type with long narrow ridges on the floor of the firing chamber, known as the grate type.

The firing chamber is where tiles or pots are set to be fired. The long ridges across its floor form the grate; flame and heat pass between them.

The firebox, where wood and other fuel were burnt, lies to the south and a step lower than the floor of the firing chamber. The fire is kept low so that heat rises into the chamber above.

At 1.5 by 1 metres, the kiln covers about the area of a single tatami mat.

The Nakanobo Inari shrine covers 1.4 square metres. A kiln, like a building, is measured on that scale.

Of Three Kilns, One Remains Under a Shelter

Of the kilns found, only one can be seen now.

The city records that 3 kilns in all were found standing in a row from east to west.

At present, it continues, the westernmost of them is preserved under a shelter. Such a shelter is a building raised to cover and protect remains.

At the Kanenokuma site, a hall was built over the excavation so that jars and bones can be seen as they were found.

Here a shelter covers one of the three. The city's record says nothing of the state of the other two.

That they stood in a row from east to west shows that the work of firing tiles ran side by side.

Fired for a Temple's Rebuilding, Designated a Year After Discovery

Why the kiln was built, and how quickly it was designated, are both recorded.

The city records that, since fragments of Kamakura-period tiles were found, the kiln is thought to have been worked to fire the tiles needed for the rebuilding of the temple Kakuanji.

To rebuild a temple, a kiln was raised close beside it and the tiles required were fired. The kiln was worked for one piece of building work.

The kiln was found in 1928. The state designated it the next year, 1929, only a year after the discovery.

The grave of Fumi no Nemaro was found in 1831 during farm work and designated 153 years later.

Here designation follows discovery at once. Even among sites found by chance, the time to designation differs greatly.

Visiting

The site lies at Nukatabe-kitamachi, Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture.

It stands about 30 metres west of the stone pagoda at Kakuanji, which is a separate cultural property.

The city records that the site is kept locked for its care, and asks those wishing to visit to contact the city office. Conditions may change. Check before travelling.

The national online heritage database has no entry for this site. This article rests on the city's record.

The designation came in 1929, a year after the discovery.