Outline

The “International Ceramics Festival MINO, Japan” is the biggest ceramics triennale in the world that has been held from 1986 in Tajimi city, Mizunami city, Toki city and Kani city of Gifu prefecture, which are national special production areas of ceramics. With the main theme “The international exchange over the clay and the flame”, we supported further growth of the ceramics industry and enhancement of culture through the global exchange of ceramics design and ceramics culture. The main event “The International Ceramics Competition MINO, Japan” is the ceramics competition recognized internationally and numerous works from countries and regions of all over the world get together. In addition, many other projects which are based on ceramics industry, region and culture of 4 cities are held so that our guests can feel and appreciate the history and attractiveness of Mino-yaki and also climate of this region.

We feel that symbol captures the spirit of earth and flames those most indispensable elements in the creation of ceramics in a way that fits well with the sensitivities of the Japanese. In brief, the symbol features an abstract representation of flames over the Chinese character used to write the word for "Earth" in Japanese. Earth ("Tsuchi"): The solid, unmoving aspect of this element suggests the depth of the history and the widening possibilities held by ceramics. Flames ("Honoh"):The power of the representation of this word by brush expresses the move toward the future and the sensitivites of the creators of works of seramics. Earth is an element of nature, of our planet ; flames represent culture, and the future.