Kasama, Ibaraki

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Kasama (笠間市; -shi) is a city located in Ibaraki, Japan.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 29,776 and the density of 226.24 persons per km². The total area is 131.61 square kilometres. Kasama officially achieved city status (市) in August 1, 1958, after the towns (町) of Kasama and Inada merged. The city recently merged again with Tomobe and Iwama on March 19, 2006, and the new city hall is located at the former Tomobe Town Hall. Tomobe has become the new city's administrative center because it is more populous than the former Kasama. As of May 1, 2006, the post-creation city has a total estimated population of 81,122. The post-creation area is now 240.25km².

The name Kasama means "within the straw hat" (kasa 笠 - straw rice hat, ma 間 - within/inside). The center of the city is connected by many small towns, in the way that the center point of a straw hat is supported by the brim, thus the name. Also, Kasama is surrounded by mountains on all sides, so geographically speaking, the city resembles an upside-down straw hat.

Kasama has long been popular for its pottery, better known as kasama-yaki (笠間焼き). It is reddish-brown in color, with a black glaze. Up until recently, kasama-yaki was used to make things of daily use, like large pots (tsubo, 壺). Though this style was well known, it is now only made by a few kilns. Modern kasama-yaki is made in most any style and color, from dinner ware and utensils, to works of art. It is noted for its fine quality, and thus Kasama is one of the most important artistic centers in the Kantō region. Kasama's pottery has a long history, which is connected with that of nearby Mashiko. Many people come from all over Japan and the world to study pottery with Kasama's masters.

This is a relatively small city that bursts with culture. It has an excellent modern art museum, the Kasama Nichido Museum of Art which opened on November 11, 1972. The elegant museum houses collections by a number of artists of international stature including Degas, Van Gogh, and Warhol. The city also houses the prefectural ceramics museum, which displays the works of Japanese Living National Treasures (人間国宝). Such artists include Hazan Itaya (板谷波山) and Kosei Matsui (松井康成). The house of calligrapher and ceramcist Kitaoji Rosanjin (北大路魯山人) is located here, and it has become a beautiful museum.

Popular singer and songwriter Kyu Sakamoto also lived in Kasama as a child. Twice daily, chimes announce the time to the tune of his songs.

The Kasama Inari Shrine (笠間稲荷神社) is probably the most famous landmark. It is one of the three famous Inari Shrines in the country. It is the center of the city, and many festivals are celebrated there.

At the top of nearby Mount Sashiro (佐白山), lie the ruins of Kasama Castle (笠間城). It was a unique mountain castle, which overlooked the city. However, it was torn down during the Meiji Restoration, and only the stone base and a small shrine remain. The lookout tower was relocated and became the main hall of a temple called Shinjo-ji (真浄寺).

In the Inada (稲田) area, there is Sainen-ji (西念寺) temple, which was founded by the famous priest Shinran. Inada is also famous for its mikage stone, which is used all over Japan. One can see it everywhere in the plaza of Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.