Gojōzaka (五条坂ごじょうざか ''Gojōzaka'') is a street running from east to west in the vicinity of the

Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto, Japan. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Site. History The temple was established in 778, during the late Nara period, by Enchin Shonin, who ...

temple, in the city of

Kyoto Kyoto ( or ; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. , the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it t ...

, Japan. The street runs for about 400m from Kiyomizu-zaka Street (east) to the intersection of Gojō and Higashi Ōji Streets (west). According to some local opinions, Gojōzaka actually begins on the east side of the Gojō Ōhashi Bridge and from that point it runs all the way to Kiyomizu-zaka Street. Also, at the northeast corner of the intersection of

Gojō Street Gojō Street (五条通ごじょうどおり ''Gojō dōri'') is a major street that crosses the center of the city of Kyoto from east to west, running from Higashi Ōji Street (east) to Kadononishi Street (west). History During the period o ...

and Yamato Ōji Street, a stone monument that reads "east from here, Gojōzaka" stands.

History

In the mid

Muromachi period The , also known as the , is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate ( or ), which was officially established in 1338 by the first Muromachi ...

, what would become the famous pottery style of Kiyomizu ware was born in the area. By the year 1643 (

Edo period The , also known as the , is the period between 1600 or 1603 and 1868 in the history of Japan, when the country was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and some 300 regional ''daimyo'', or feudal lords. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengok ...

) the name of Kiyomizu-yaki was established and the pottery industry began to flourish in the surroundings. During

WWII World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, ceramic grenades ( Type 4 grenade) and ceramic fuel tanks for rockets were produced using the kilns of the local pottery businesses. In the decade of the 1960s, the pollution from the smoke of the ''Noborigama'' kilns (climbing kilns) used around the street became a problem and as a result, the old style kilns were eventually replaced with electric and gas devices.

Present day

Kiyomizu ware continues to be produced and sold in the area, being a popular spot for shopping and for learning about this traditional craft, which attracts both local residents and tourists. There are also shops offering

Nishijin-ori is a traditional textile produced in the district of Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto, Kamigyō-ku in Kyoto, Japan. Originating in Heian-kyōto over 1,200 years ago, weaving is known for its highly-decorative and finely-woven designs, created through the ...

textiles and folding fans, as well as art galleries located in the vicinity. Although most of the ''Noborigama'' kilns (climbing kilns) of the area were removed, there are still at least 3 of these left, preserved as important cultural and historical assets. Every year in August, the famous Gojozaka Pottery Festival is held along the street.

Relevant landmarks along the street

Source: * Kyoto Ceramic Center * Chawanzaka * Kiyomizu-zaka *

References

External links

Kyoto Ceramic Center

{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808200137/http://www.toukimaturi.gr.jp/en.html , date=8 August 2020 Streets in Kyoto