ONIGAWRA

Mission, roof  tiles at "Gado" 瓦道 (researched 04 Oct 2013)

 

 We researched "Gado" 瓦道 (the roof tile manufacturer ) in Nara city to see what's there.

 

 

roof tile = 瓦

鬼瓦 onigawara = a gargoyle

 In Japan, the roof tiles are the most general and traditional building materials. You can see the materials on the roofs of the houses all over nation.

 

 How ever, we found something that is very rare as well as indeginous at Gado.

 

 

Here is what they do.

1, manufacture and construct special roof tiles for the major historic buildings across the nation. For example, The Kofukuji Temple (Nara pref), The Kasugataishya Shrine (Nara pref), The Entsuji Temple (Tokyo pre), The Himejijyo Castle (Hyogo pref) and so on.

2, administrate those buildings to maintain them in good conditions.

3, inherit the skills and the tradition.

The roof tiles first came in from the Korean peninsula 1400 ears ago.

They have kept the roof tile culture for centuries.

4, let the public know our roof tile culture.

A manufacture lesson is available, cost ¥2000 per person. (my wife tried it, says it was a good fun.)

 

 

The souvenirs are available (I bought a key ring.)

 

 

The brief history of roof tiles.

 In the beginning, according to Nihon-shoki (the oldest chronicles of Japan), the roof tiles came in to the nation from the Korean peninsula for construction of the religious buildings in the year of 588.

In the Medieval Period, the temples were decreased to be built. Wile, the castles were more to be built.

In short, the roof tiles were still to be used as building materials after the big change.

Nowadays, the roof tiles are far more developed to deal with today's needs. As a result, roof tiles are seen across the nation,

 

"How ever, I was working for a roof tile constructor during the summer, when I was very young. It was a good opportunity  for the young man experiencing the true spirit of workmen. The summer is very much memorable for me."

You can make your own small replica "onigawara" in a lesson.

 

 

How to get there.

Bus

Bus from JR/Kintetsu Nara station. Take a Nara kotsu bus at 2nd platform (the Aoyama housing line), get off at Narasaka, 1min walk from the bus stop to Gado (瓦道)

Car

It takes 10 min from the Kizu exit of the Keinawa motorway.

It takes 20min from the Koriyama exit of the Nishimeihan motorway.

 

Car park is available.

Open 9am-5pm

Manufacture lesson   ¥2000 (postage be added)

A lesson takes 1hour

 

Ph 0742-22-2391

Fax 0742-22-2393

URL http://www.gado.co.jp

 

Bookings are essential to take lessons. 

Disposable aprons are available

 

 

Over all

It's accessible for wheel chair at the factory.

A Western type toilet is available. (there are 4 steps to enter the toilet.) "better ask for assistance."  

 

Conclusion

I and my wife had a good time at Gado trying a manufacture lesson as well as come across rear findings . The research was successes all the way.