• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.597-612
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• 2009

This paper is an anthropological study on the regional revitalization movement by the traditional ceramic industry in Mashiko-cho, Japan. It especially deals with the issues like history of revitalization based on ceramics, idealogical features and roles of core activist group, and adaptive strategies of local society to the ever-changing circumstances. The ceramic industry of Mashiko-cho had developed vigorously in 19C, and had passed many critical points in 20C. In 1960s, the ceramic industry of Mashiko-cho developed stably through introducing of Mingei(民藝) ideology and artists. This is evaluated as a 'bottom-up' regional revitalization movement and a active utilization of traditional cultural resources. In Mashiko-cho, the ideological leadership of cultural artist groups have been central roles in the regional revitalization movement. The representative cases are transformation of production of ordinary ceramics to production of Mingei ceramics from the middle of 1950s, official organization of core activist group and establishment of direct sale system by the producers in the middle of 1960s, and full-scale cooperation of private sector and public sector from the beginning of 1980s. Nonetheless the regional revitalization movement by the traditional ceramic industry in Mashikocho have come out well up to now, it should make new tradition which is well-matched to the ever-changing circumstances as seeing various and complex differentiation on the inside of local society.