This kiln was built in 1921 (10th year of Taisho period), and was designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 1997. This kiln and its accommodating building are among the few things in Tokoname city which still retain the atmosphere of a bygone age. We named the area around this brick wall building with a tall chimney, the "Kiln Plaza", where we exhibit for the pleasure of museum visitors, the superb terracotta decor that once decorated the facades of western-style brick buildings built during the Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods.
About 130 pieces of porcelain toilets, chamber toilets, and wooden potty-seats which Mr. Takashi Senba (collector of antique toilets) collected from all over Japan, and INAX's collection of porcelain toilets are also exhibited in this plaza.

"Terracotta" meaning "baked earth in Latin", were the common decor of architectural decoration around the eaves and windowsills in the old days. However, during the course of history, many brick wall buildings with terracotta decor were knocked down or else destroyed by natural disasters in Japan. Those terracotta decors being exhibited in this gallery recreate for us an atmosphere of the old days as mementos of buildings long gone.

When the habit of using toilets inside the house was established, it became necessary to equip a box in the bedroom for temporarily containing human waste. That box was the start of the in-house toilet facility in Japan. Gradually, the material for toilets changed from wood to porcelain, and the toilets were even painted and glazed. Those ornamental Old Japanese Toilets are exhibited in this gallery.