Toki, Gifu
| Toki 土岐市 | ||
|---|---|---|
| City | ||
| ||
 Location of Toki in Gifu Prefecture | ||
  Toki Location in Japan | ||
| Coordinates: 35°21′N 137°11′E / 35.350°N 137.183°ECoordinates: 35°21′N 137°11′E / 35.350°N 137.183°E | ||
| Country | Japan | |
| Region | Chūbu | |
| Prefecture | Gifu Prefecture | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Nobuhiko Ōno | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 116.16 km2 (44.85 sq mi) | |
| Population (July 2011[1]) | ||
| • Total | 60,163 | |
| • Density | 520/km2 (1,300/sq mi) | |
| Symbols | ||
| • Tree | Japanese Fringetree | |
| • Flower | Balloon flower | |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
| City Hall Address |
2101 Tokiguchi, Tokitsu-chō, Toki-shi, Gifu-ken 509-5192 | |
| Website |
www | |
Toki (土岐市 Toki-shi) is a city located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The city is located on the Honshū island, to the southeast of Gifu City, the prefectural capital. The Toki River runs through the downtown area. Toki is known as one of the largest producers of Japanese pottery. The products made in the region are generally referred as the Mino-yaki. Toki has a sister city arrangement with Faenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
In Spring 2005, Toki was in the national news in Japan when an outlet mall was opened on the outskirts of the city. Malls are a relatively rare thing outside the major cities of Japan, and the city was brought to a standstill after a nationwide advertising campaign attracted people from all over Japan. The city is home to the Large Helical Device, a stellarator investigating plasma physics with an eye towards fusion power generation.
History
The history of pottery making in Toki area appears to have started more than 1,300 years ago. Some kiln traces and earthenware pieces, which are in the 7th century style, have been recovered within the territory of the city. The technical merit and artistic impression reached an acme in the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568–1614) when crockery for tea ceremony had been produced there. Daimyo feudal lords highly admired such tea vessels, bowls, pots and utensils with unique styles as the Oribe. More emphasis has been put on daily necessities since the early Edo period (1603–1867). By virtue of mass production successfully introduced from the Meiji Era (1868–1912) on, the porcelain and pottery from Toki are now found widely in Japan.
The city was incorporated on February 1, 1955, with the area formerly divided among 5 towns (Tokitsu, Oroshi, Tsumagi, Dachi and Izumi) and 3 villages (Tsurusato, Sogi and Hida).
In January 2004, a referendum was called to decide whether Toki should merge with its neighboring municipalities, the cities and town of Tajimi, Mizunami and Kasahara. A proposition, which would have allowed them to consummate the merger, failed to obtain majority support.
Geography and demographics
Toki is located at 35°21′09" North, 137°10′59" East. As of July 2011, the city has an estimate population of 60,163, with 20,896 households and a population density of 520 persons per km². The total area is 116.16 km².
Government
Mayor
The current Mayor of Toki is Yasunari Katō. Previous Mayors include:
- Nobuhiko Ōno ( -2012)
- Yasuo Tsukamoto (1983–2007)
- Okizo Mizuno (1975–1983)
- Yasunori Ninomiya (1955–1975)
Representative body
Toki has an eighteen-member city council, which serves as the legislative body of the city.
Transportation
Railroad
Sister cities
- Inside Japan
- Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture (est. October 10, 1978, as a Sports Sister City)
- Outside Japan
Faenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (est. October 23, 1979)
References
- ↑ 岐阜県の人口・世帯数人口動態統計調査結果. Gifu prefectural website (in Japanese). Gifu Prefecture. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
External links
Media related to Toki, Gifu at Wikimedia Commons- Toki City official website
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