Komatsu: Stone Stories - Journeys in Japan

You don't see this every day. Komatsu, a city shaped by stone. Look at the stonework. Wow! Hello! I can't believe it. Oh! No way! Good enough to cry about. On Journeys in Japan, American actor Charles Glover explores the profound stone culture of Komatsu, an ancient castle town and gem in the Hokuriku region. Komatsu is located in southern Ishikawa Prefecture, some 350 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. The prominent town in the wealthy Kaga domain served as a vital port of call for merchant ships. What a beautiful stone building, huh? Hi, I'm Charles Glover. I'm in a place called Komatsu in Ishikawa Prefecture. Now, the west is known for sculptures and structures in stone, and in Japan, things are done more in wood. But this place is known for its refined stone culture, among other things. Sounds like a great place to explore, doesn't it? Let's go! Nata Derai is an expansive temple complex with a 1,300-year-old history. It's fascinating, isn't it? Scientists say that it was formed by the Earth's crust being thrust upward by volcanic activity. It's such a strange shape, though. Obviously, it's not man-made, yet people have carved into it somehow. It's not surprising that ancient people saw it as a handicraft of the gods and something worthy of worship. Well, maybe even worship today. Around 20 million years ago, intense volcanic activity in the Sea of Japan left Komatsu with mineral treasures, like this jasper. Crafted using complex techniques difficult to replicate today, they were highly prized as jewelry by the elite of the time. Master artisans developed some of the country's most advanced stone chamber construction techniques. This stone chamber was built in the Asuka period, It's called Yokogana-style stone chamber. It's made of local stone called gyokai-gan. As you can see, it's very well-made. As you can see, it's shaped like a key. Another feature is that if you look at the upper side of the wall, it's slanted. Ah. Looks like some kind of a tomb to a crab walk to get in here. Look at this. Look at the stonework. You can really see some ancient craftsmanship going on here. Oh, look at this. Look at these carved shapes here. Looks like it's a oh yeah, an arch or something or a domed roof. Boy, that took some work to make that. You can still see the hammer marks here. See the notch here. Wow. This was some real talent. Amazing. Komatsu's stone culture has long been passed down in an unbroken lineage. What an impressive mosaic, huh? And if you look, it's not only different colors of rocks but different textures and actually different types of stone. Kind of a jumble, but all fit together perfectly. Amazing. You don't see this every day. The Kanagaso Quarry produces Nikka stone, known for its golden hue. Quarried since the early 20th century, its lightweight, moisture-resistant and fireproof qualities made it a favorite construction material for important buildings. Other quarries, they cut vertically but this one cuts into the mountain this way. I wonder why. Wow. Yes. Amazing. Huge. Wow. Unbelievable. Wow. Hello. Wow. That's amazing. Ah. I see. Yes. Hello. Nakaya Takamura is a renowned sculptor holding the highest rank in stone masonry. Now retired, his techniques have been entrusted to his successor, Funatsu Shuichiro. Wow. Interesting. Hmm. Wow. Ah. The mine yielded copper, gold, lead and zinc. When large-scale operations began in the late 19th century, Ogoya became a top copper producer, fueling the country's modernization. This building showcases the mine's rich history. Wow. No way. Wow. Ah. I see. The powerful energy of the earth also gave rise to a source of healing. One of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts, Awazu, has been welcoming guests for over 1,300 years. Fantastic. So they say this onsen is over 1,300 years old. Either way, it still feels great. So, the stones quarried here are eventually transformed into exquisite porcelain works of art. Really? Behold, Kutani-yaki, Komatsu's prized porcelain. During the Edo period, feudal lords proudly used the gorgeous wear when entertaining. By the Meiji era, it sparked a Japan Kutani craze in the West, and it remains sought after for its vibrant, overglazed enamels. Mm. Wow. Mm. Yes. Mm. It's beautiful, isn't it? There's a Japanese song written inside. Oh, a song? Yes. In Japan, we write letters from top to bottom, but this person writes them from bottom to top. Please use this bowl to warm your throat. Thank you. It's nice. By the way, look behind you. Wow! Kutani-yaki has a variety of techniques, shapes, and colors. Basically, it's a 5-year-old dish. It's very colorful. Yes, it is. First, I'll show you how to make it. The plate is very beautiful. This is a plate made by Yasukichi Tokuda, Kutani-yaki is colorful, so people think it's very flashy. But if you combine it with the dish, it's very beautiful. The colors are very beautiful. It's so good. It's like it was just caught this morning. Today's dish is called Asakura Kazuka. Did you get it? Yes, I did. The Asakura family is known for their yellow color. It's called Asakura Yellow. Asakura Yellow. Yes. It's a gentle sweet taste. Good enough to cry about. It was very delicious. Thank you very much. I'm so happy. It was very delicious. I'd like to come again. We look forward to seeing you again. It's spectacular, isn't it? You know, this humble little stone, it's the product of heat, pressure, and time. Stones are among the oldest things on the planet Earth. And for the people of Komatsu, very important. For some, it's their livelihood. Others revere them. I heard a man say that after the terrible Noto earthquake, he rushed to the stone quarry to make sure everything was okay. And for me, I won't look at stones the same again, really. Be it a house or a statue or a carving, I wonder how it was formed or where it came from or who crafted it. And this little guy draws a line from prehistory to enriching us today and definitely lasting into the future. All this from a humble little stone. Not bad. From Tokyo to Komatsu, it's about two and a half hours on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. By air, it's an hour to Komatsu airport, followed by a 30-minute drive.