The Tono Region, in the eastern part of Gifu Prefecture includes the cities of Tajimi, Toki and Mizunami, and has been flourishing as one of the most famous ceramic production areas in Japan over the centuries.  The production of ceramics is said to have begun with the unglazed earthenware made in the 7th century.  Since then, the industry has developed constantly, enjoying particular success in the Azuchi-Momoyama Period of the late 16th century with magnificent tea ware such as Shino, Oribe and Kizeto.  The region continues to enjoy a significant share in the domestic ceramics market today.  It is home to a large number of manufacturers of Japanese and Western tableware, a variety of tiles, clay for pottery, and various other products related to ceramics.
The first International Ceramics Festival Mino, Japan was held in 1986 with the aim of spreading the word about the superb quality of Mino ceramic ware throughout the world, and promoting the exchange of ideas about ceramic design, technology and cultures, thereby invigorating the local ceramics industry.  This year, the 8th International Ceramics Festival Mino, Japan will be held with similar goals in mind.   
The main event of the festival, the Ceramic Competition section, has already attracted a record high of 3,284 entries by 1,476 artists from Japan and 56 countries and regions around the world, making it a truly international affair.   In total, 192 works which have passed the rigorous screening process will be on display at the festival venue, Ceramics Park MINO.   
In the International Ceramics Festival ’08 Mino, electronic images of the judging process will be constantly projected in the exhibition areas, enabling visitors to enjoy 3-D effects together with a variety of real ceramics works on display.  In addition, people will have the opportunity to touch and feel individual works, staff members will be available to answer questions, and examples of table settings using selected works will be on display in keeping with the theme “Ware and Food.”  These features will help people to become more familiarized with ceramics and ceramic works, and people can expect to encounter something fun and exciting during the festival. 
The Tokai Hokuriku Expressway, a major artery which connects the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean areas, will be completed in July 2008.  The opening of this expressway will certainly bring about major changes in the transportation of people, goods and services and have positive effects on tourism and industry.  In conjunction with the completion of the  Tokai Hokuriku Expressway, Gifu Prefecture is taking advantage of its position as a central hub and using this as an opportunity to form partnerships and create exchanges in many fields in the Chubu Region, the rest of Japan, as well as overseas.  We want to work on revitalizing Gifu Prefecture more than ever in years to come.       
It is my sincere hope that the International Ceramics Festival ’08 Mino, Japan will be a solid step forward for the further prosperity of ceramics culture and industries, and by extension, revitalization and growth of the entire Tono Region in the future.
I am looking forward to meeting as many visitors as possible both in Japan and from foreign countries at the International Ceramics Festival ’08 Mino.

One of the world’s leading ceramics areas, the Mino district comprises the cities of Tajimi, Mizunami and Toki, and boasts a rich history and culture of ceramics that stretches back more than a millennium. In particular, the distinguished Oribe and Shino tea ceramics were created here during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603). From this period on, ceramics developed not only as a function and role in daily life, but as a way of expression. Today, while building on the rich experience and diverse techniques of our ancestors, the Mino district continues to produce a myriad of ceramic products, including Japanese and European style crockery, tiles and much more.
The first International Ceramics Festival Mino, Japan, was held in 1986 with the aim of presenting the magnificence of “Mino-yaki” (Mino Ceramics) to the world, while promoting the exchange of ideas and information about the design, techniques, and culture of ceramics. It gives me great please to announce the opening of the 8th International Ceramics Festival Mino, Japan.
This year, for the first time, we have offered online registration for the 8th International Ceramics Competition ‘08 Mino, Japan, the main event of this festival. As a result, we attracted a record high, 3,284 entries from 56 countries and regions around the world, confirming our hopeful suspicions that this festival has come to represent ceramics throughout the world, both in name and substance. The 857 entries that passed the First Stage were then subject to the “original works screening” as part of the Second and Final stages for judging, one of the unique aspects of this festival. A total of 192 entries were selected for the Award Winning Works and Honorable Mentions. In culmination of the event, the public exhibition of all the wining entries provides a wonderful opportunity for visitors to view first-hand the global trends in ceramics.
In hopes of receiving entries from ceramic manufacturers, this year’s entry conditions specified that all entries must have been created within the last 3 years, and must not have been exhibited in other competitions. The result was submission of several entries from both Japanese and overseas manufacturers. In the future we will continue to expand the competition with the goal of motivating not only the local, but also the entire Japanese ceramics industry, in an effort to further increase the number of manufacturer participants. 
As a world-renown event, the International Ceramics Festival ‘08 Mino, Japan is both the pride and important asset of the Mino district. We hope to continually contribute to the world as a source of valuable information concerning ceramics technology and culture.